Game system and storage medium storing game program

ABSTRACT

A movement vector of an object which appears in a virtual game world is determined in accordance with an operation of a direction instruction section which is provided in a housing. The movement vector is corrected in accordance with a change in an orientation of the housing from a reference orientation or acceleration generated in the housing. Then, movement of the object in the virtual game world is controlled based on the corrected movement vector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2006-312255, filed on Nov. 17, 2006, and 2007-015532, filed on Jan. 25, 2007, are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game system and a storage medium storing a game program, and more particularly, to a game system, which is operated by detecting a change in an orientation of the housing of a controller or acceleration generated in the housing, and a storage medium storing a game program.

2. Description of the Background Art

Conventionally, there have been developed various game apparatuses in which a player plays a game by operating an input device. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-263363 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses an apparatus which executes game processing by using an output from direction instruction input means of a game controller which is operated by the player. In the game apparatus disclosed in the Patent Document 1, a player character dashes by pressing an R1 button 38 while the movement of the player character in a virtual game world is controlled by means of a joystick 37 as the direction instruction input means.

However, in the game apparatus disclosed in the Patent Document 1, since a content for controlling the movement of the player character which is determined by means of the direction instruction input means (the joystick 37) is corrected by pressing the button (the R1 button 38), the operation by the player becomes complicated. Also, the game apparatus disclosed in the Patent Document 1 is not an interface which effectively makes the player have a direct feeling of a game input with respect to the virtual game world. For example, in the game apparatus disclosed in the Patent Document 1, a movement direction and a movement amount of the player character in the virtual game world are inputted by operation by means of the direction instruction input means. Thus, the operation is performed only with the player's fingertips, and the player cannot have a direct feeling of a game input.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system and a storage medium storing a game program for solving at least one of the above problems, which variedly control movement of a player character by an intuitive and easy operation and makes the player have a direct feeling of a game input.

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above. It is noted that reference numerals and step numbers in parentheses are merely provided to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in relation to the later-described embodiment, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention in any way.

A first aspect of the present invention is a game system (3) comprising a game controller (7, 76) including a housing (77) which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus (5) connected to the game controller, and a detection section (701) for detecting an orientation of the housing. The game controller includes at least a direction instruction section (78 a) which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game apparatus includes movement vector control means (S43), correction means (S46, S52), and movement control means (S21). The movement vector control means is means for determining a movement vector of an object (PC), which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means. It is noted that the direction instruction section can be, for example, a joystick, or a plurality of button keys (a direction is assigned to each of them).

The movement vector control means determines at least a movement direction of the object in the virtual game world, and in addition, may determine a movement amount of the object in the virtual game world. The correction means corrects the movement vector which is determined by the movement vector control means. However, the correction means may correct the movement direction which is determined by the movement vector control means, or may correct the movement amount when the movement vector control means also determines the movement amount. In other words, the following variations are considered. The movement vector control means determines the movement direction, and the correction means corrects the movement direction. The movement vector control means determines the movement direction and the movement amount, and the correction means corrects the movement direction. The movement vector control means determines the movement direction and the movement amount, and the correction means corrects the movement amount. The movement vector control means determines the movement direction and the movement amount, and the correction means corrects the movement direction and the movement amount. The virtual game space is three-dimensional, the movement vector control means determines two-dimensional movement components (typically, movement amounts in virtual horizontal two directions), and the correction means the remaining one-dimensional movement component (typically, a movement amount in a virtual vertical direction).

It is noted that the above “movement amount” may be replaced with “a movement velocity” or “a movement acceleration”.

The detection section includes a predetermined sensor. The correction means determines a change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation based on an output value of the sensor, and corrects the movement vector. Although the correction means determines the change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation, more specifically, the correction means determines rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis from the reference orientation. The predetermined axis may be a predetermined axis of the housing, or a predetermined axis in the real world. In other words, the correction means may determine rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis of the housing, or rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis in the real world. In the former case, for example, the correction means may determine rotation (roll) of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing (e.g. the longitudinal axis of the housing), rotation (pitch) of the housing about an left-right axis of the housing (e.g. the lateral axis of the housing), and rotation (yaw) of the housing about an up-down axis of the housing (e.g. the vertical axis of the housing). In the latter case, for example, the correction means may determine rotation of the housing about a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. The correction means may calculate a rotation angle of the housing from the reference orientation, but this calculation is not essential. For example, as described later in an embodiment, when gravitational acceleration applied in a predetermined axis is detected by an acceleration sensor, even though the rotation angle is not calculated, rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis from the reference orientation can be determined based on the magnitude and the direction of the detected acceleration.

Typically, the detection section is a sensor fixed to the housing. As the sensor, a sensor (an acceleration sensor, an inclination sensor) for outputting data in accordance with inclination with respect to the direction of gravity (hereinafter, referred to merely as “inclination”), a sensor (a magnetic sensor) for outputting data in accordance with orientation, a sensor (a gyro-sensor) for outputting data in accordance with rotational movement, or the like can be used. The acceleration sensor or the gyro-sensor is capable of multi-axis detection but may be capable of single-axis detection. Alternatively, these sensors may be used in combination for performing further accurate detection. It is noted that a camera fixed to the housing may be used as the sensor. In this case, since an image taken by the camera changes in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing, the change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation can be determined by analyzing the taken image.

Depending on a type of the sensor, the detection section may be provided independently outside the housing. For example, an image of the housing is taken by a camera as the sensor from outside the housing, and an image of the housing in the taken image is analyzed, thereby determining a change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation. Alternatively, a system, in which a unit fixed to the housing and a unit provided independently outside the housing cooperate with each other, may be used. For example, a light-emitting unit is provided independently outside the housing, and an image of light from the light-emitting unit is taken by a camera fixed to the housing. The image taken by the camera is analyzed, thereby determining a change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation. Another example includes a system, which includes a magnetic field generating apparatus provided independently outside the housing and a magnetic sensor fixed to the housing.

As described above, the correction means may determine rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis of the housing (a first type of the correction means), or may determine rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis in the real world (a second type of the correction means).

(1) The First Type of the Correction Means

The following will describe an example where an acceleration sensor is fixed to the housing. In a simple example, acceleration generated in a predetermined direction of the housing is detected by the acceleration sensor. Using the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, a change in a gravitational acceleration component is analyzed, thereby determining rotation of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational acceleration. For example, acceleration generated in the up-down direction of the housing is detected, and a change in a component of the gravitational acceleration in the up-down direction is analyzed, thereby determining rotation of the housing about the left-right axis of the housing.

In the case of using the acceleration sensor, when the housing rotates so that inclination of the detection axis of the acceleration sensor is unchanged, for example, when the detection axis of the acceleration sensor corresponds to a rotational axis when the orientation of the housing is changed, a component of the gravitational acceleration in the detection axis is unchanged. This makes it hard to determine rotation of the housing. However, when the detection axis of the acceleration sensor does not correspond to the rotational axis when the orientation of the housing is changed (typically, when the orientation of the housing is changed so that inclination of the detection axis of the acceleration sensor changes along a vertical plane), an output value concerning the detection axis changes because of an effect of the gravitational acceleration, thereby determining rotation of the housing.

In a field of game to which the present invention is applied, it is enough as long as proper game processing is executed when an operation is performed in accordance with an operation manner which is predetermined by the game developer. Even if the proper game processing is not executed when an operation other than the operation in accordance with the operation manner is performed, this does not cause a particular problem. Therefore, if a manner for changing the orientation of the housing (more specifically, about which axis the housing should be rotated) is shown as a proper operation manner in an instruction manual of a game and a game screen, a player performs an operation so as to rotate the housing in accordance with the manner. In other words, it is enough as long as the orientation of the housing is determined based on a rotational operation. It is noted that when the player performs an operation which deviates from the instructed operation, the orientation of the housing cannot be detected accurately. However, if degree of the deviation between the operations is within an accepted range, roughly proper processing result is obtained for the game processing. Further, since a game apparatus usually does not require excellent accuracy, the game apparatus has a practical use even in such a case.

In the case of using the acceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor detects not only the gravitational acceleration applied to the housing but also acceleration applied in accordance with movement of the housing. However, it is possible for one skilled in the art to eliminate the acceleration detected in accordance with the movement. In a simple example, when a value of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor is larger (or substantially larger) than that of the gravitational acceleration, the value of the detected acceleration is considered not to indicate the gravitational acceleration, and processing of eliminating the value of the detected acceleration may be executed. Or, only when a change in the value of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor is small, the value of the detected acceleration is considered to indicate the gravitational acceleration, and the value of the detected acceleration may be used for processing of orientation analysis. Further, a high-frequency component of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor may be eliminated. In the case of a game in which the housing does not need to be moved violently, the processing of eliminating the acceleration applied in accordance with the movement of the housing may not be executed. This is because even when the acceleration in accordance with the movement of the housing is detected, unless the player moves the housing violently, a correct result is obtained to some extent, and thus the game apparatus has a sufficient practical use.

In the case of using the acceleration sensor capable of multi-axis detection and using values of acceleration generated in multi-axis directions, a rotational angle of the housing from the reference orientation is calculated, thereby enabling further detailed determination. For example, predetermined calculation processing is executed by using values of acceleration in two-axis directions which are detected by the acceleration sensor, thereby calculating the rotation angle of the housing. Typically, calculation processing using a trigonometric function, such as assigning the values of the acceleration in the two-axis directions in an inverse trigonometric function, or the like, may be executed for calculating the rotation angle of the housing.

Further, in the case of using the acceleration sensor capable of multi-axis detection, based on the detection axis direction in which acceleration changes, which detection axis the housing rotates about can be determined. In the case of using an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration in three-axis directions, for example, calculation processing is executed by using values of acceleration in first axis and second axis directions, thereby determining rotation of the housing about a third axis direction. Or, calculation processing is executed by using values of acceleration in the first axis and third axis directions, thereby determining rotation of the housing about the second axis direction.

When the housing is rotated in the real space, a centrifugal force is generated in the housing. The centrifugal force may be detected by the acceleration sensor, and used for determining a change in the orientation of the housing. More specifically, for example, when acceleration generated in a direction of the housing is detected by the acceleration sensor, it can be determined that there is a probability that the housing is rotated about an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the housing.

The following will describe the case where a gyro-sensor is fixed to the housing. In this case, when the orientation of the housing is changed (namely, when the housing is rotated about a predetermined axis of a local coordinate system), the gyro-sensor directly detects the rotation, and outputs angular velocity data. Based on the outputted angular velocity data, a change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation can be determined. More specifically, a change in a rotation angle of the housing can be determined by using the angular velocity data. Typically, it is possible determine a change in a rotation angle of the housing about the front-rear axis of the housing, a change in a rotation angle of the housing about the left-right axis of the housing, and/or a change in a rotation angle of the housing about the up-down axis of the housing. By setting a rotation angle of the housing in the initial state, it is possible to determine the rotation angle of the housing about the front-rear axis of the housing, the rotation angle of the housing about the left-right axis of the housing, and/or the rotation angle of the housing about the up-down axis of the housing.

(2) The Second Type of the Correction Means

Typically, an acceleration sensor capable of detecting acceleration in three-axis directions is fixed to the housing. The direction of gravity with respect to the housing is determined based on a value of the acceleration in each axis direction, thereby determining a rotation angle of the housing about a horizontal axis. Alternatively, for example, values of acceleration in first-axis and second-axis directions, which are detected by an acceleration sensor capable of detecting acceleration in three-axis directions, are combined to calculate a combined vector. From a two-dimensional vector having the magnitude of the combined vector and a value of acceleration in a third-axis direction, it is possible to determine a rotation angle of the third-axis about the horizontal axis. Alternatively, an orientation sensor is provided in the housing, and thus it is possible to determine a rotation angle about a vertical axis.

It is noted that the correction means may correct the movement vector by a predetermined amount when the amount of a change in the orientation of the housing from the reference orientation reaches a threshold value, or may change an amount, by which the movement vector is corrected, in accordance with the amount of a change in the orientation of the housing. More specifically, the amount, by which the movement vector is corrected, may be increased with an increase of the change in the orientation of the housing.

Further, the correction means may correct the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of an object in a predetermined direction in a virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis. The “predetermined direction” may be a predetermined direction in a world coordinate system in the virtual game world, a predetermined direction of the object in a local coordinate system, or a predetermined direction in a viewpoint coordinate system. Based on “a direction in which the object moves when a forward direction is instructed by the direction instruction means”, the predetermined direction may be determined. Typically, rotation of the housing about the left-right axis of the housing is determined, and a movement amount of the object in the forward direction thereof (a forward direction and/or a backward direction in the local coordinate system) may be corrected based on the determination. More specifically, the movement amount of the object in the forward direction thereof is increased when the housing is rotated so as to be inclined forward, and/or the movement amount of the object in the backward direction thereof is increased when the housing is rotated so as to be inclined backward. Alternatively, rotation of the housing about the front-rear axis of the housing is determined, and the movement amount of the object in the left-right direction thereof (a left-right direction in the local coordinate system) may be corrected based on the determination. Still alternatively, rotation of the front-rear axis (or the up-down axis) of the housing about the horizontal axis is determined, and the movement amount of the object in the forward direction thereof may be corrected based on the determination. Still alternatively, rotation of the left-right axis of the housing about the horizontal axis is determined, and the movement amount of the object in the left-right direction thereof may be corrected based on the determination.

It is noted that the aforementioned “forward direction of the object” is (A) a direction in which the object faces (typically, a Z-axis direction in a local coordinate or a camera coordinate), or (B) a movement direction of the object (a direction in which the object moves in accordance with an instruction input of the direction instruction section in a forward direction). When the object moves in its facing direction in accordance with the instruction input of the direction instruction section in the forward direction, the above (A) corresponds to the above (B).

The movement vector control means determines a movement vector for moving the object in “the forward direction of the object” in accordance with the instruction input of the direction instruction section in the forward direction, determines a movement vector for moving the object in a direction opposite to the “forward direction of the object” in accordance with an instruction input of the direction instruction section in a backward direction, and determines a movement vector for moving the object in a left-right direction perpendicular to the “forward direction of the object” in accordance with an instruction input of the direction instruction section in a left-right direction. The “left-right direction” may be defined as a left-right direction in the local coordinate system or a left-right direction in the world coordinate system.

The “forward direction of the object” may be a fixed direction in the world coordinate system or may be changed in accordance with an instruction input of the direction instruction section. In the latter case, when the movement vector of the object is determined, the direction of the movement vector is typically set to a new forward direction.

Further, the correction means may determine rotation of the housing about an axis, or rotation of the housing about a plurality of axes. In the latter case, “a predetermined direction in the virtual game world” is set for each axis. In other words, the correction means corrects a movement amount of the object in a direction A in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis A, and corrects a movement amount of the object in a direction B in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis B (the axis A is different from the axis B, and the direction A is different from the direction B). Preferably, the axis A is set perpendicular to the axis B, and the direction A is set perpendicular to the direction B. It is noted that rotation of the housing about three or more axes may be determined, namely, the correction means may also correct a movement amount of the object in a direction C in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis C.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.

In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.

In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a left-right direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.

In a fifth aspect based on the first aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.

In a sixth aspect based on the first aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.

In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick (78 a) which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.

In an eighth aspect based on the first aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to perform an input. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.

In a ninth aspect based on the first aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the movement vector so as to the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.

In a tenth aspect based on the first aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in the reference direction by changing a reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the forward direction.

An eleventh aspect is a game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller. The game controller includes a housing, a direction instruction section, and movement detection means (761). The housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player. The direction instruction section is provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing. The movement detection means is means for detecting movement of the housing. The game apparatus includes movement direction control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement direction control means is means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world when rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing is indicated based on detection of the movement detection means. The movement control means is means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

It is noted that the movement detection means can be an acceleration sensor provided in the housing, a gyro-sensor provided in the housing, an element for detecting movement by analyzing an image taken by imaging means provided in the housing (including, for example, a system realized by an imaging information calculation section 74 and a marker 8 which are described later), an inclination sensor provided in the housing for detecting inclination, or the like. In the case of using the gyro-sensor, special processing is required as described later.

Specifically, a palm of one hand is brought into contact with a side surface (one of a right side surface and a left side surface) of the housing, and at least one of fingers (an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger) of the hand (preferably, at least two of them or including at least the middle finger) is brought into contact with the other side surface (the other of the right side surface and the left side surface) of the housing, whereby the housing is held. In this held state, the direction instruction section is located within the reach of a thumb.

In a twelfth aspect based on the second aspect, the movement vector control means determines a direction of the movement vector with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section. The game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting the direction of the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means and corrected by the correction means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

A thirteenth aspect is a game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller. The game controller includes at least a housing, acceleration detection means, and a direction instruction section. The housing is capable of being held with one hand of the player. The acceleration detection means is means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing. The direction instruction section is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game apparatus includes movement vector control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement vector control means is means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a predetermined axial direction of the housing.

In a fifteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward direction of the housing.

In a sixteenth aspect based on the fourteenth aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a leftward or rightward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.

In a seventeenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

In an eighteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.

In a nineteenth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.

In a twentieth aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction. The movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in the reference direction by changing a reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing. The correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

A twenty-first aspect is a game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller. The game controller includes a housing, a direction instruction section, and acceleration detection means. The housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player. The direction instruction section is provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing. The acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing. The game apparatus includes movement vector control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement vector control means is means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world based on detection of the acceleration detection means when the acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing. The movement control means is means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

In a twenty-second aspect based on the thirteenth aspect, the movement vector control means determines a direction of the movement vector with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by direction instruction section. The game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting the direction of the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means and corrected by the correction means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

A twenty-third aspect is a game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing. The game controller includes at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game apparatus includes movement direction determination means, movement amount determination means, and movement control means. The movement direction determination means is means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The movement amount determination means is means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

A twenty-fourth aspect is a game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller. The game controller includes at least a housing, acceleration detection means, and a direction instruction section. The housing is capable of being held with one hand of the player. The acceleration detection means is means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing. The direction instruction section is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game apparatus includes movement direction determination means, movement amount determination means, and movement control means. The movement direction determination means is means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The movement amount determination means is means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

A twenty-fifth aspect is a game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing. The game controller includes at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game apparatus includes position determination means (S43, S171), displacement determination means (S172, S173), and movement control means (S21). The position determination means is means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The displacement determination means is means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section. The movement control means is means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and controlling movement of the object.

In a twenty-sixth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines a displacement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.

In a twenty-seventh aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.

In a twenty-eighth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.

In a twenty-ninth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.

In a thirtieth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis. The displacement determination means determines the displacement so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.

In a thirty-first aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.

In a thirty-second aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to perform an input. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.

In a thirty-third aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and moves the position of the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the second direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.

In a thirty-fourth aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the leftward or rightward direction.

A thirty-fifth aspect is a game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller. The game controller includes at least a housing, acceleration detection means, and a direction instruction section. The housing is capable of being held with one hand of the player. The acceleration detection means is means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing. The direction instruction section is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game apparatus includes position determination means, displacement determination means, and movement control means. The position determination means is means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The displacement determination means is means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means. The movement control means is means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and moving the object.

In a thirty-sixth aspect based on the thirty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a forward or backward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward or backward direction of the housing.

In a thirty-seventh aspect based on the thirty-fifth aspect, the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.

In a thirty-eighth aspect based on the thirty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.

In a thirty-ninth aspect based on the thirty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and moves the position of the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.

In a fortieth aspect based on the thirty-fifth aspect, the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction. The position determination means moves the position of the object in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction instructed by direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing. The displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.

In a forty-first aspect based on the twenty-fifth aspect, the position determination means determines a new position of the object with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section. The game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting a direction in the virtual game world, in which the position of the object is moved by the position determination means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.

In a forty-second aspect based on the sixth aspect, the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to each other. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.

In a forty-third aspect based on the seventeenth aspect, the first axis and the second axis of the housing are perpendicular to each other. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.

In a forty-fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player.

In a forty-fifth aspect based on the forty-fourth aspect, the direction instruction section is provided in the housing in such a position that when the player holds the housing at the side circumference with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand.

A forty-sixth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising: a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input; the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing. The game program causes the computer to function as movement vector control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement vector control means is means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

A forty-seventh aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of a player; a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing. The game program causes the computer to function as movement direction control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement direction control means is means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world when rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing is indicated based on detection of the movement detection means. The movement control means is means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

A forty-eighth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game program causes the computer to function as movement vector control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement vector control means is means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

A forty-ninth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of a player; a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing. The game program causes the computer to function as movement vector control means, correction means, and movement control means. The movement vector control means is means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section. The correction means is means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world based on detection of the acceleration detection means when the acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing. The movement control means is means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.

A fiftieth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising: a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input; the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing. The game program causes the computer to function as movement direction determination means, movement amount determination means, and movement control means. The movement direction determination means is means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The movement amount determination means is means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

A fifty-first aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game program causes the computer to function as movement direction determination means, movement amount determination means, and movement control means. The movement direction determination means is means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The movement amount determination means is means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means. The movement control means is means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.

A fifty-second aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising: a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input; the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing. The game program causes the computer to function as position determination means, displacement determination means, and movement control means. The position determination means is means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The displacement determination means is means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section. The movement control means is means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and controlling movement of the object.

A fifty-third aspect is a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. The game program causes the computer to function as position determination means, displacement determination means, and movement control means. The position determination means is means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. The displacement determination means is means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means. The movement control means is means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and moving the object.

According to the first aspect, since a content (a movement vector) for controlling movement of the object which is determined by an operation of the direction instruction section is corrected based on the orientation of the housing provided with the direction instruction section, operation by the player is made easy. Therefore, an input for moving the object such as a player character and the like provides a direct feeling, and the movement of the object can be variedly controlled by an intuitive and easy operation.

According to the second to sixth aspects, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing so that the housing is rotated, it is possible to control the movement of the object so as to increase the movement amount in a direction in the virtual game world in accordance with the rotation axis.

According to the seventh to eleventh aspects, an inclination direction of a stick operation of the direction instruction section is appropriately associated with a direction of the change in the orientation of the housing, and thus the movement of the object can be variedly controlled by a further intuitive and easy operation.

According to the twelfth aspect, the movement of the object can be controlled so that the forward direction of the object is changed to the direction of the set movement vector.

According to the thirteenth to twenty-second aspects, since a content (a movement vector) for controlling movement of the object which is determined by an operation of the direction instruction section is corrected by using the acceleration generated in the housing which is provided with the direction instruction section, operation by the player is made easy. Therefore, the movement of the object, such as a player character and the like, can be variedly controlled by an intuitive and easy operation, and the same advantageous effects as those of the above game system are obtained.

According to the twenty-third aspect, it is possible to provide a game, in which the movement direction of the object is determined by an operation of the direction instruction section, and the movement amount of the object is determined in accordance with the orientation of the housing which is provided with the direction instruction section, thereby making operation by the player easy. The game effectively makes the player have a direct feeling of a game input.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect, it is possible to provide a game, in which the movement direction of the object is determined by an operation of the direction instruction section, and the movement amount of the object is determined in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing which is provided with the direction instruction section, thereby making operation by the player easy. The game effectively makes the player have a direct feeling of a game input.

According to the twenty-fifth to thirty-fourth aspects, it is possible to provide a game, in which a basic position of the object is determined by an operation of the direction instruction section and the object is displaced from the basic position based on the orientation of the housing which is provided with the direction instruction section. Therefore, the movement of the object, such as a player character and the like, can be variedly controlled by an intuitive and easy operation, and operability is obtained without an uncomfortable feeling. Further, the same advantageous effects as those of the above game system are obtained.

According to the thirty-fourth to fortieth aspects, it is possible to provide a game, in which a basic position of the object is determined by an operation of the direction instruction section and the object is displaced from the basic position based on the acceleration generated in the housing which is provided with the direction instruction section. Therefore, the movement of the object, such as a player character and the like, can be variedly controlled by an intuitive and easy operation, and operability is obtained without an uncomfortable feeling. Further, the same advantageous effects as those of the above game system are obtained.

According to the forty-first aspect, the movement of the object can be controlled so that the forward direction of the object is changed to a direction in which the object moves to the basic position.

According to the forty-second and forty-third aspects, the two axes for determining the orientation of the housing are perpendicular to each other, and the two axes to be reflected in the virtual game world in accordance with the orientation are perpendicular to each there, so that these axes are caused to correspond to each other for controlling the movement of the object. Thus, a virtual plane set in the real space is caused to correspond to a virtual plane in the virtual game world, and the movement of the object can be controlled. Thus, a game input can be performed with a further direct feeling.

According to the forty-fourth aspect, the player can hold the housing so as to wrap one hand around it, and can play the game while moving the hand.

According to the forty-fifth aspect, the player can hold the housing so as to wrap one hand around it, and can perform an input with the thumb of the hand while moving the hand freely similarly as in the case of the conventional controller.

According to the storage medium storing the game program of the present invention, the same advantageous effects as those of the above game system are obtained.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating a game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a game apparatus main body 5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of a controller 7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a connection cable 79 of the controller 7 in FIG. 3 is disconnected from a core unit 70;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the core unit 70 in FIG. 3 seen from a top rear side thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the core unit 70 in FIG. 5 seen from a bottom front side thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an upper housing of the core unit 70 in FIG. 5 is removed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a lower housing of the core unit 70 in FIG. 6 is removed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a subunit 76;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an upper housing of the subunit 76 in FIG. 9 is removed;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of the controller 7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 illustrates a state where a game operation is performed by means of the controller 7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view illustrating a state where a player holds the core unit 70 with a right hand seen from a front side of the core unit 70;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary view illustrating a state where the player holds the core unit 70 with the right hand seen from a left side of the core unit 70;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating viewing angles of LED modules 8L and 8R and an image pickup element 743;

FIG. 16 is an exemplary view illustrating a state where the player holds the subunit 76 with a left hand seen from a right side of the subunit 76;

FIG. 17 shows an example of main data stored in a main memory 33 of the game apparatus main body 5;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a procedure of game processing executed by the game apparatus main body 5;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of subunit movement processing at a step 15 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of pass processing at a step 16 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of first shot processing at a step 17 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of second shot processing at a step 18 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of temporary coach mode processing at a step 19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of coach mode processing at a step 20 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 25 is an exemplary view illustrating a game image displayed on a monitor 2;

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a position vector Vc which is set to a player character PC;

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a target position TP of a pass and regions A and B;

FIG. 28 illustrates an example of paths along which a ball object B is to move;

FIG. 29 illustrates an example of movement vectors Vmnpc which are set to non-player characters NPC; and

FIG. 30 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of another example of the subunit movement processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, the following will describe a game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a game system including a stationary game apparatus as an example of the game apparatus will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating the game system 1 including the stationary game apparatus 3, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a game apparatus main body 5. The game system 1 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 includes a home-use television receiver (hereinafter, referred to as a monitor) 2 as an example of display means, and the stationary game apparatus 3 which is connected to the monitor 2 via a connecting cord. The monitor 2 includes a pair of speakers 2 a for audio-outputting audio signals outputted from the game apparatus main body 5. The game apparatus 3 includes an optical disc 4 storing a game program of the present invention, the game apparatus main body 5 provided with a computer for executing the game program of the optical disc 4 to display a game image on the monitor 2, and a controller 7 for providing the game apparatus main body 5 with operation information which is required for a game and which operate a character and the like displayed in the game image.

The game apparatus main body 5 includes therein a communication unit 6 (see FIG. 2). The communication unit 6 receives data transmitted wirelessly from the controller 7, and transmits data from the game apparatus main body 5 to the controller 7, so that the game apparatus main body 5 and the controller 7 are connected to each other by radio communication. Further, the optical disc 4 as an example of an exchangeable information storage medium is detachably mounted to the game apparatus main body 5. On a front main surface of the game apparatus main body 5, a power ON/OFF switch for the game apparatus main body 5, a reset switch for game processing, a slot through which the optical disc 4 is mounted or dismounted, an eject switch for ejecting the optical disc 4 through the slot of the game apparatus main body 5, and the like are provided.

The game apparatus main body 5 includes a flash memory 38 functioning as a backup memory to store data such as save data, and the like in a fixed manner. The game apparatus main body 5 executes the game program and the like stored in the optical disc 4, and displays the result as a game image on the monitor 2. Further, the game apparatus main body 5 re-cerates a game state, which has been executed previously, by using the save data stored in the flash memory 17, and displays a game image on the monitor 2. A player of the game apparatus main body 5 operates the controller 7 while watching a game image displayed on the monitor 2, and enjoys game process.

By using the technology of, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), the controller 7 wirelessly transmits transmission data such as the operation information and the like to the game apparatus main body 5 including the communication unit 6. The controller 7 includes two control units (a core unit 70 and a subunit 76) which are connected to each other by a flexible connection cable 79, and is operation means for mainly operating a player object which appears in a game space displayed on the monitor 2. The core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are each provided with a operation section such as a plurality of operation buttons, a key, a stick, and the like. As described later in detail, the core unit 70 includes an imaging information calculation section 74 for taking an image viewed from the core unit 70. As an example of targets whose images are to be taken by the imaging information calculation section 74, two LED modules 8L and 8R (hereinafter, referred to as markers 8L and 8R) are provided in the vicinity of the display screen of the monitor 2. The markers 8L and 8R each output an infrared light forward from the monitor 2. Although the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are connected to each other by the flexible cable in the present embodiment, the subunit 76 a may be provided with a wireless unit, thereby dispensing with the connection cable 79. For example, the subunit 76 is provided with a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, whereby the subunit 76 can transmit operation data to the core unit 70. The controller 7 (e.g. the core unit 70) also receives at a communication section 75 transmission data transmitted wirelessly from the communication unit 6 of the game apparatus main body 5, and produces sound and vibration in accordance with the transmission data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game apparatus main body 5 includes, for example, a CPU (central processing unit) 30 for executing various programs. The CPU 30 executes a boot program stored in a boot ROM (not shown) to initialize memories including a main memory 33, and the like, and then executes the game program stored in the optical disc 4 to perform game processing or the like in accordance with the game program. The CPU 30 is connected to a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 32, the main memory 33, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 34, and an ARAM (audio RAM) 35 via a memory controller 31. The memory controller 31 is connected to the communication unit 6, a video I/F (interface) 37, the flash memory 38, an audio I/F 39, and a disc I/F 41 via a predetermined bus. The video I/F 37, the audio I/F 39 and the disc I/F 41 are connected to the monitor 2, the speakers 2 a, and a disc drive 40, respectively.

The GPU 32 performs image processing based on an instruction from the CPU 30. The GPU 32 includes, for example, a semiconductor chip for performing calculation processing which is required for displaying 3D graphics. The GPU 32 performs the image processing by using a memory (not shown) dedicated for image processing and a part of the storage area of the main memory 33. The GPU 32 generates game image data and a movie to be displayed on the monitor 2 by using such memories, and outputs the generated data or movie to the monitor 2 via the memory controller 31 and the video I/F 37 as necessary.

The main memory 33 is a storage area used by the CPU 30, and stores a game program or the like required for processing executed by the CPU 30 as necessary. For example, the main memory 33 stores the game program read from the optical disc 4 by the CPU 30, various data or the like. The game program, the various data or the like stored in the main memory 33 are executed by the CPU 30.

The DSP 34 processes sound data or the like which is generated by the CPU 30 during the execution of the game program. The DSP 34 is connected to the ARAM 35 for storing the sound data or the like. The ARAM 35 is used when the DSP 34 performs predetermined processing (e.g. storage of the game program or sound data already read). The DSP 34 reads the sound data stored in the ARAM 35, and causes the speakers 2 a of the monitor 2 to output the sound data via the memory controller 31 and the audio I/F 39.

The memory controller 31 comprehensively controls data transmission, and is connected to the various I/Fs described above. As described above, the communication unit 6 receives the transmission data from the controller 7, and outputs the transmission data to the CPU 30. The communication unit 6 transmits transmission data outputted from the CPU 30 to the communication section 75 of the controller 7. The monitor 2 is connected to the video I/F 37. The speakers 2 a built in the monitor 2 are connected to the audio I/F 39 so as to allow the sound data read by the DSP 34 from the ARAM 35 or sound data directly outputted from the disc drive 40 to be outputted from the speakers 2 a. The disc I/F 41 is connected to the disc drive 40. The disc drive 40 reads data stored in the optical disc 4 which is located at a predetermined reading position, and outputs the data to a bus of the game apparatus main body 5 and the audio I/F 39.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the following will describe the controller 7. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of the controller 7. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the connection cable 79 of the controller 7 in FIG. 3 is disconnected from the core unit 70.

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 7 includes the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 which are connected to each other by the connecting cable 79. The core unit 70 has a housing 71 which is provided with a plurality of operation sections 72. The subunit 76 has a housing 77 which is provided with a plurality of operation sections 78. The core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are connected to each other by the connecting cable 79.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting cable 79 has at one end thereof a connector 791 which is detachably connected to a connector 73 of the core unit 70, and is fixedly connected at the other end thereof to the subunit 76. The connector 791 of the connecting cable 79 is engaged with the connector 73 provided at the rear surface of the core unit 70 so as to connect the core unit 70 to the subunit 76 by the connecting cable 79.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the following will describe the core unit 70. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the core unit 70 seen from a top rear side thereof. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the core unit 70 seen from a bottom front side thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the core unit 70 includes the housing 71 which is formed, for example, by plastic molding. The housing 71 has a generally parallelepiped shape extending in a longitudinal direction from front to rear. The overall size of the housing 71 is small enough to be held by one hand of an adult or even a child.

At the center of a front part of a top surface of the housing 71, a cross key 72 a is provided. The cross key 72 a is a cross-shaped four-direction push switch. The cross key 72 a includes operation portions corresponding to the four directions (front, rear, right and left) represented by arrows, which are respectively located on cross-shaped projecting portions arranged at intervals of 90 degrees. The player selects one of the front, rear, right and left directions by pressing one of the operation portions of the cross key 72 a. Through an operation on the cross key 72 a, the player can, for example, instruct a direction in which a player character or the like appearing in a virtual game world is to move or a direction in which a cursor is to move.

The cross key 72 a is an operation section for outputting an operation signal in accordance with the above-described direction input operation performed by the player. Such an operation section may be provided in another form. For example, the cross key 72 a may be replaced with a composite switch including a push switch including a ring-shaped four-direction operation section and a center switch provided at the center thereof. Alternatively, the cross key 72 a may be replaced with an operation section which includes an inclinable stick projecting from the top surface of the housing 71 and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the inclining direction of the stick. Still alternatively, the cross key 72 a may be replaced with an operation section which includes a disc-shaped member horizontally slideable and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the sliding direction of the disc-shaped member. Still alternatively, the cross key 72 a may be replaced with a touchpad. Still alternatively, the cross key 72 a may be replaced with an operation section which includes switches representing at least four directions (front, rear, right and left) and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the switch pressed by the player.

Behind the cross key 72 a on the top surface of the housing 71, a plurality of operation buttons 72 b to 72 g are provided. The operation buttons 72 b to 72 g are each an operation section for outputting a respective operation signal assigned to the operation buttons 72 b, 72 c, 72 d, 72 e, 72 f or 72 g when the player presses a head thereof. For example, functions of a number one button, a number two button, and an A button are assigned to the operation buttons 72 b to 72 d, respectively. Further, functions of a minus button, a home button and a plus button are assigned to the operation buttons 72 e to 72 g, respectively. Various functions are assigned to the operation buttons 72 b to 72 g in accordance with the game program executed by the game apparatus 3, but this will be described in detail later. In an exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 5, the operation buttons 72 b to 72 d are arranged in a line at the center in the front-rear direction on the top surface of the housing 71. The operation buttons 72 e to 72 g are arranged in a line in the left-right direction between the operation buttons 72 b and 72 d on the top surface of the housing 71. The operation button 72 f has a top surface thereof buried in the top surface of the housing 71, so as not to be inadvertently pressed by the player.

In front of the cross key 72 a on the top surface of the housing 71, an operation button 72 h is provided. The operation button 72 h is a power switch for remote-controlling the power of the game apparatus main body 3 to be on or off. The operation button 72 h also has a top surface thereof buried in the top surface of the housing 71, so as not to be inadvertently pressed by the player.

Behind the operation button 72 c on the top surface of the housing 71, a plurality of LEDs 702 are provided. A controller type (a controller identification number) is assigned to the controller 7 so as to be distinguishable from the other controllers 7. For example, the LEDs 702 are used for informing the player of the controller type which is currently assigned to controller 7. Specifically, when the core unit 70 transmits the transmission data to the communication unit 6, one of the plurality of LEDs 702 corresponding to the controller type is lit up.

On the top surface of the housing 71, a plurality of holes is provided between the operation button 72 b and the operation buttons 72 e to 72 g for emitting sound from a speaker (a speaker 706 in FIG. 5), which will be described later, to the outside therethrough.

On a bottom surface of the housing 71, a recessed portion is formed. As described later in detail, the recessed portion is formed at a position at which an index finger or middle finger of the player is located when the player holds the core unit 70. On a slope surface of the recessed portion, an operation button 72 i is provided. The operation button 72 i is an operation section acting as, for example, a B button. The operation button 72 i is used, for example, as a trigger switch for taking a shot in a soccer game, or for operation to switch a player, and the like.

On a front surface of the housing 71, an image pickup element 743 constituting a part of the imaging information calculation section 74 is provided. The imaging information calculation section 74 is a system for analyzing image data taken by the core unit 70, thereby identifying an area having a high brightness in the image and detecting a position of a center of gravity, a size and the like of the area. The imaging information calculation section 74 has, for example, a maximum sampling period of about 200 frames/sec., and therefore can trace and analyze even a relatively fast motion of the core unit 70. The imaging information calculation section 74 will be described later in detail. On a rear surface of the housing 71, the connector 73 is provided. The connector 73 is, for example, a 32-pin edge connector, and is used for engaging and connecting the core unit 70 with the connector 791 of the connecting cable 79.

For giving a more specific description, a coordinate system set with respect to the core unit 70 will be defined. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined with respect to the core unit 70. More specifically, the longitudinal direction of the housing 71 or the front-rear direction of the core unit 70 corresponds to Z-axis, and the direction toward the front surface of the core unit 70 (the surface in which the imaging information calculation section 74 is provided) is a positive direction of Z-axis. The up-down direction of the core unit 70 corresponds to Y-axis, and the direction toward the top surface of the housing 71 (the surface on which the operation button 72 a is provided) is a positive direction of Y-axis. The left-right direction of the core unit 70 corresponds to X-axis, and the direction toward the right side surface housing 71 (the side surface which is not shown in FIG. 6 but shown in FIG. 5) is a positive direction of X-axis.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the following will describe an internal structure of the core unit 70. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an upper housing (a part of the housing 71) of the core unit 70 is removed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a lower housing (a part of the housing 71) of the core unit 70 is removed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a reverse side of a substrate 700 shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the substrate 700 is fixed inside the housing 71. On a top main surface of the substrate 700, the operation buttons 72 a to 72 h, an acceleration sensor 701, the LEDs 702, and an antenna 754 and the like are provided. These components are connected to a microcomputer 751, and the like (see FIGS. 8 and 11) by lines (not shown) formed on the substrate 700 and the like. The core unit 70 functions as a wireless controller by a wireless module 753 (see FIG. 11) and the antenna 754. In the housing 71, a crystal oscillator (not shown) is provided for generating a basic clock of the microcomputer 751, which will be described later. On the top main surface of the substrate 700, the speaker 706 and an amplifier 708 are provided. The acceleration sensor 701 is provided on the periphery of the substrate 700, not on the center thereof. The acceleration sensor 701 is capable of detecting acceleration included in a component caused by a centrifugal force in accordance with rotation of the core unit 70 about the longitudinal direction, in addition to change of direction of gravitational acceleration. Thus, the rotation of the core unit 70 can be sensitively determined from data of the detected acceleration by using a predetermined calculation.

As shown in FIG. 8, at a front edge of a bottom main surface of the substrate 700, the imaging information calculation section 74 is provided. The imaging information calculation section 74 includes an infrared filter 741, a lens 742, the image pickup element 743 and an image processing circuit 744 which are located in this order from the front surface of the core unit 70. These components are attached to the bottom main surface of the substrate 700. At a rear edge of the bottom main surface of the substrate 700, the connector 73 is attached. On the bottom main surface of the substrate 700, a sound IC 707 and the microcomputer 751 are provided. The sound IC 707 is connected to the microcomputer 751 and the amplifier 708 by lines formed on the substrate 700 and the like, and outputs a sound signal to the speaker 706 via the amplifier 708 in accordance with the sound data transmitted from the game apparatus main body 5. On the bottom main surface of the substrate 700, a vibrator 704 is attached. The vibrator 704 is, for example, a vibration motor or a solenoid. The core unit 70 is vibrated by an actuation of the vibrator 704, and the vibration is conveyed to the player holding the core unit 70. Thus, a so-called vibration-feedback game is realized. Since the vibrator 704 is located in the front portion of the housing 71, the housing 71 is vibrated substantially, and hence the player holding the core unit 70 easily feels the vibration.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the subunit 76 will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the subunit 76. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an upper housing (a pat of the housing 77) of the subunit 76 in FIG. 9 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the subunit 76 includes the housing 77 which is formed, for example, by plastic molding. The housing 77 extends in a longitudinal direction from front to rear, and has a streamline solid shape including a head which is a widest portion in the subunit 76. The overall size of the subunit 76 is small enough to be held by one hand of an adult or even a child. Further, the housing 77 of the subunit 76 can be held so that the player wraps a palm and fingers other than a thumb around the housing 77, and its shape is designed so that the player's thumb is positioned on a stick 78 a when the player holds the housing 77.

In the vicinity of the widest portion on the top surface of the housing 77, the stick 78 a is provided. The stick 78 a is an operation section which includes an inclinable stick projecting from the top surface of the housing 77, detects the inclining direction (additionally, an amount of the inclination) of the stick, and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the inclining direction. For example, the player can arbitrarily designate a direction and a position by inclining a stick tip in an Y-direction of 360 degrees, thereby instructing a direction in which the player character or the like appearing in the virtual game world is to move, or instructing a direction in which the cursor is to move. Also, the player can instruct a movement amount of the player character, the cursor, or the like by the amount of the inclination of the stick 78 a.

Although the stick 78 a is an operation section for outputting an operation signal in accordance with a direction input operation performed by the player, such an operation section may be provided in another form. For example, the stick 78 a may be replaced with the above cross key or a composite switch including a push switch including a ring-shaped four-direction operation section and a center switch provided at the center thereof. Alternatively, the stick 78 a may be replaced with an operation section which includes a disc-shaped member horizontally slideable and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the sliding direction of the disc-shaped member. Still alternatively, the stick 78 a may be replaced with a touch pad. Still alternatively, the stick 78 a may be replaced with an operation section which includes switches representing at least four directions (front, rear, right and left) and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the switch pressed by the player.

On the front surface of the housing 77 of the subunit 76, two operation buttons 78 d and 78 e are provided. The operation buttons 78 d and 78 e are each an operation section for outputting a respective operation signal assigned to the operation buttons 78 d and 78 e when the player presses a head thereof. For example, functions of an X button and a Y button are assigned to the operation buttons 78 d and 78 e, respectively. The operation buttons 78 d, and 78 e are assigned with the respective functions in accordance with the game program executed by the game apparatus 3, but this will not be described in detail because the functions are not directly relevant to the present invention. In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 9, the operation buttons 78 d and 78 e are arranged in a line in the up-down direction on the front surface of the housing 77.

As shown in FIG. 10, a substrate is fixed inside the housing 77. On a top main surface of the substrate, the stick 78 a, an acceleration sensor 761, and the like are provided. These components are connected to the connection cable 79 by lines (not shown) formed on the substrate and the like. The acceleration sensor 761 is preferably located at the center of the housing 77 in a longitudinal direction thereof and in a lateral direction thereof. When the player holds the housing 77 so as to wrap a palm and fingers other than a thumb around the housing 77, the housing 77 is preferably positioned in a space surrounded by a palm and fingers (more preferably, at the substantially center of the space).

For giving a more specific description, a coordinate system set with respect to the subunit 76 will be defined. As shown in FIG. 9, mutually perpendicular X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are defined with respect to the subunit 76. More specifically, the longitudinal direction of the housing 77 or the front-rear direction of the subunit 76 corresponds to Z-axis, and the direction toward the front surface of the subunit 76 (the surface on which the operation buttons 78 d and 78 e are provided) is a positive direction of Z-axis. The up-down direction of the subunit 76 corresponds to Y-axis, and the direction toward the top surface of the housing 77 (the direction in which the stick 78 a projects) is a positive direction of Y-axis. The left-right direction of the subunit 76 corresponds to X-axis, and the direction toward the right side surface housing 77 (the side surface which is not shown in FIG. 9) is a positive direction of X-axis.

The following will describe an internal structure of the controller 7. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of the controller 7.

As shown in FIG. 11, the core unit 70 includes therein the communication section 75 in addition to the aforementioned operation section 72, the imaging information calculation section 74, the acceleration sensor 701, the vibrator 704, the speaker 706, the sound IC 707, and the amplifier 708. The subunit 78 includes the aforementioned operation section 78 and the acceleration sensor 761, which are connected to the microcomputer 751 via the connection cable 79 and the connectors 791 and 73.

The imaging information calculation section 74 includes the infrared filter 741, the lens 742, the image pickup element 743, and the image processing circuit 744. The infrared filter 741 allows, among lights incident on the front surface of the core unit 70, only an infrared light to pass therethrough. The lens 742 converges the infrared light which has passed through the infrared filter 741, and outputs the infrared light to the image pickup element 743. The image pickup element 743 is a solid-state image pickup element such as a CMOS sensor or a CCD. The image pickup element 743 takes an image of the infrared light collected by the lens 742. In other words, the image pickup element 743 takes an image of only the infrared light which has passed through the infrared filter 741. Then, the image pickup element 743 generates image data of the image. The image data generated by the image pickup element 743 is processed by the image processing circuit 744. More specifically, the image processing circuit 744 processes the image data obtained from the image pickup element 743, detects an area of the image which has a high brightness, and outputs to the communication section 75 process result data indicating the result of a calculated coordinate position and a square measure of the area. The imaging information calculation section 74 is fixed to the housing 71 of the core unit 70. An imaging direction of the imaging information calculation section 74 can be changed by changing a facing direction of the housing 71.

The core unit 70 preferably includes a three-axis (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) acceleration sensor 701. The subunit 76 preferably includes a three-axis (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) acceleration sensor 761. The three-axis acceleration sensors 701 and 761 each detect linear acceleration in three directions, i.e., an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction (the aforementioned X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions). In an alternative embodiment, a two-axis accelerometer which detects only linear acceleration along each of the up-down direction and the left-right direction (the other pair of axes), or a one-axis accelerometer which detects only linear acceleration along any one of the axes may be used depending on the type of control signals used in the game processing. As a non-limiting example, the one-axis, two-axis, or three-axis acceleration sensors 701 and 761 may be of the type available from Analog Devices, Inc. or STMicroelectronics N.V. Preferably, the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 may be of electrostatic capacitance or capacitance-coupling type which is based on silicon micro-machined MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology. However, any other suitable accelerometer technology (e.g., piezoelectric type or piezoresistance type) now existing or later developed may be used to provide the one-axis, two-axis, or three-axis acceleration sensors 701 and 761.

As one skilled in the art understands, accelerometers, as used in the acceleration sensors 701 and 706, are only capable of detecting acceleration along a straight line (linear acceleration) corresponding to each axis of the acceleration sensor. In other words, the direct outputs of the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 are limited to signals indicative of linear acceleration (static or dynamic) along each of the one, two or three axes thereof. As a result, the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 cannot directly detect movement along a non-linear (e.g. arcuate) path, rotation, rotational movement, angular displacement, inclination, position, attitude or any other physical characteristic.

However, through processing by a computer such as the processor of a game apparatus (e.g. the CPU 30) or the processor of the controller 7 or the subunit 76 (e.g. the microcomputer 751) based on the linear acceleration signals outputted from the acceleration sensors 701 and 761, additional information relating to the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 can be inferred or calculated, as one skilled in the art will readily understand from the description herein.

For example, when the processing is performed by the computer on the assumption that the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 provided with the acceleration sensors 701 and 761, respectively, are in static state (or when the processing is performed while only gravitational acceleration is detected by the acceleration sensors 701 and 761), if the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are actually in static state, the detected acceleration are used to determine whether or not the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are inclined relative to the direction of gravity or how many degrees the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are inclined relative to the direction of gravity. More specifically, when a state where the detection axes of the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 extend in a vertically-down direction is set as a standard state, it is possible to determine whether or not the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are inclined by determining whether 1 G (gravitational acceleration) is applied in the direction of the detection axes of the acceleration sensors 701 and 761. It is also possible to determine how many degrees the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are inclined with respect to the vertically-down direction by determining the magnitude of the acceleration applied in the above detection axis directions. In addition, in the case where the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 are capable of detecting multi-axis acceleration, it is possible to determine in detail how many degrees the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are inclined relative to the direction of gravity through processing of a signal of acceleration detected for each axis. In this case, a processor may perform processing based on the outputs from the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 for calculating inclination angle data of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76. Alternatively, processing may be performed so as to infer rough inclination of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 based on the outputs from the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 without calculating the inclination angle data. As described above, the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 are used in combination with the processor to determine inclination, attitude or position of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76.

On the other hand, on the assumption that the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 are in dynamic state, the acceleration sensor 701 and 761 detect acceleration corresponding to motion of the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 in addition to a gravitational acceleration component. Thus, it is possible to determine the directions of the motion of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 by eliminating the gravitational acceleration component through predetermined processing. More specifically, various movements and/or positions of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 can be calculated or inferred through processing of the acceleration signals generated by the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 when the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 provided with the acceleration sensors 701 and 761, respectively, are subjected to dynamic acceleration by the hand of the player. It is noted that even on the assumption that the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 are in dynamic state, it is possible to determine inclinations of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 relative to the direction of gravity by eliminating acceleration corresponding to motion of the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 through predetermined processing.

In an alternative embodiment, the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 may each include an embedded signal processor or other type of dedicated processor for performing any desired processing of the acceleration signals outputted from accelerometers therein prior to outputting signals to the microcomputer 751. For example, the embedded or dedicated processor could convert the detected acceleration signal into a corresponding inclination angle when the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 are intended to detect static acceleration (e.g. gravitational acceleration). Data indicative of the acceleration detected by each of the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 is outputted to the communication section 75.

When the player holds and shakes the core unit 70 and the subunit 76, the motion speeds up at the beginning of the shake, and speeds down at the end of the shake. In other words, after acceleration is generated in the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 in the same direction as the shaking direction at the beginning of the shake, the magnitude of the acceleration decreases gradually, and acceleration is generated in the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 in a direction opposite to the shaking direction at the end of the shake. On the other hand, generally, acceleration vectors (or a positive or negative sign of acceleration) outputted from the acceleration sensors 701 and 761 have directions opposite to the acceleration directions of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76, respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the acceleration sensors 701 and 706 may be replaced with a gyro-sensor of any suitable technology incorporating, for example, a rotating or vibrating element. Exemplary MEMS gyro-sensors that may be used in this embodiment are available from Analog Devices, Inc. Unlike the linear acceleration sensors 701 and 761, a gyro-sensor is capable of directly detecting rotation (or angular rate) around an axis defined by the gyroscopic element (or elements) therein. Thus, due to the fundamental differences between a gyro-sensor and an linear acceleration sensor, corresponding changes need to be made to the processing operations that are performed on the output signals from these devices depending on which device is selected for a particular application.

Specifically, when a gyro-sensor is used instead of an acceleration sensor to calculate inclination and attitude, significant changes are necessary. More specifically, when a gyro-sensor is used, the value of inclination is initialized at the start of detection. Then, data on angular velocity which is outputted from the gyro-sensor is integrated. Furthermore, a change amount in inclination from the value of tile previously initialized is calculated. In this case, the calculated inclination is determined as a value corresponding to an angle. In contrast, when an acceleration sensor is used, inclination is calculated by comparing the value of the gravitational acceleration of each axial component with a predetermined reference. Therefore, the calculated inclination can be represented as a vector. Thus, without initialization, an absolute direction can be determined with an accelerometer. The type of the value calculated as an inclination is also very different between a gyro-sensor and an accelerometer; i.e., the value is an angle when a gyro-sensor is used and is a vector when an accelerometer is used. Therefore, when a gyro-sensor is used instead of an acceleration sensor, data on inclination also needs to be processed by a predetermined conversion that takes into account the fundamental differences between these two devices. Due to the fact that the nature of gyro-sensors is known to one skilled in the art, as well as the fundamental differences between accelerometers and gyro-sensors, further details are not provided herein. While gyro-sensors provide certain advantages due to their ability to directly detecting rotation, acceleration sensors are generally more cost-effective as compared with the gyro-sensors when used for the controller of the present embodiment.

The communication section 75 includes the microcomputer 751, a memory 752, the wireless module 753, and the antenna 754. The microcomputer 751 controls the wireless module 753 for wirelessly transmitting the transmission data while using the memory 752 as a storage area during processing. The microcomputer 751 controls the operations of the sound IC 707 and the vibrator 704 in accordance with the data which the wireless module 753 receives from the game apparatus main body 5 via the antenna 754. The sound IC 707 processes the sound data and the like transmitted from the game apparatus main body 5 via the communication section 75. The microcomputer 751 actuates the vibrator 704 in accordance with vibration data (e.g. signals for actuating and unactuating the vibrator 704) transmitted from the game apparatus main body 5 via the communication section 75. Identification number data which is uniquely set for each core unit 70 is stored in the memory 752 or nonvolatile storage means (not shown).

Data from the core unit 70 including an operation signal (core key data) from the operation section 72, acceleration signals (core acceleration data) from the acceleration sensor 701, and the process result data from the imaging information calculation section 74 are outputted to the microcomputer 751. An operation signal (sub key data) from the operation section 78 of the subunit 76 and acceleration signals (sub acceleration data) from the acceleration sensor 761 are outputted to the microcomputer 751 via the connecting cable 79. The microcomputer 751 temporarily stores the input data (the core key data, the sub key data, the core acceleration data, the sub acceleration data, and the process result data) in the memory 752 as the transmission data which is to be transmitted to the communication unit 6. The wireless transmission from the communication section 75 to the communication unit 6 is performed periodically at a predetermined time interval. Since game process is generally performed at a cycle of 1/60 sec., data needs to be collected and transmitted at a cycle of a shorter time period. Specifically, the game process unit is 16.7 ms ( 1/60 sec.), and the transmission interval of the communication section 75 structured using the Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology is 5 ms. At the transmission timing to the communication unit 6, the microcomputer 751 outputs the transmission data stored in the memory 752 as a series of operation information to the wireless module 753 so as to assign thereto a controller identification number which is unique to the controller 7. The wireless module 753 uses, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology to modulate the operation data onto a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency and to radiate the resultant weak radio signal from the antenna 754. Thus, the core key data from the operation section 72 provided in the core unit 70, the sub key data from the operation section 78 provided in the subunit 76, acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 701, the sub key data from the operation section 78 provided in the subunit 76, the core acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 701 provided in the core unit 70, the sub acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76, the process result data from the imaging information calculation section 74, and the controller identification number are modulated onto the weak radio signal by the wireless module 753 and radiated from the core unit 70. The communication unit 6 of the game apparatus 3 receives the weak radio wave signal, and the game apparatus 3 demodulates or decodes the weak radio signal to obtain the series of operation information (the core key data, the sub key data, the core acceleration data, the sub acceleration data, and the process result data) and the controller identification number. Based on the obtained operation information and the game program, the CPU 30 of the game apparatus 3 performs the game processing.

As shown in FIG. 12, in order to play a game by means of the controller 7 with the game system 1, a player holds the core unit 70 with one hand (e.g. a right hand) (see FIGS. 13 and 14), and holds the subunit 76 with the other hand (e.g. a left hand) (see FIG. 16). The player holds the core unit 70 so as to point the front surface of the core unit 70 (that is, a side having an entrance through which light is incident on the imaging information calculation section 74 taking an image of the light) to the monitor 2. On the other hand, the two LED modules 8L and 8R are provided in the vicinity of the display screen of the monitor 2. The LED modules 8L and 8R each outputs infrared light forward from the monitor 2.

When a player holds the core unit 70 so as to point the front surface thereof to the monitor 2, infrared lights outputted by the two LED modules 8L and 8R are incident on the imaging information calculation section 74. The image pickup element 743 takes images of the infrared lights incident through the infrared filter 741 and the lens 742, and the image processing circuit 744 processes the taken images. The imaging information calculation section 74 detects infrared components outputted by the LED modules 8L and 8R so as to obtain positions and area information of the LED modules 8L and 8R. Specifically, the imaging information calculation section 74 analyzes image data taken by the image pickup element 743, eliminates images which do not represent the infrared lights outputted by the LED modules 8L and 8R from the area information, and identifies points each having a high brightness as positions of the LED modules 8L and 8R. The imaging information calculation section 74 obtains position coordinates, coordinates of the center of gravity, and the like of each of the identified points having the high brightness, and outputs the same as the process result data. When such process result data is transmitted to the game apparatus 3, the game apparatus 3 can obtain, based on the position coordinates and the coordinates of the center of gravity, operation signals relating to the motion, orientation, position and the like of the imaging information calculation section 74, that is, the core unit 70, with respect to the LED modules 8L and 8R. Specifically, the position having a high brightness in the image obtained through the communication section 75 is changed in accordance with the motion of the core unit 70, and therefore a direction input or coordinate input is performed in accordance with the position having the high brightness being changed, thereby enabling a direction input or a coordinate input to be performed along the moving direction of the core unit 70.

Thus, the imaging information calculation section 74 of the core unit 70 takes images of stationary markers (infrared lights from the two LED modules 8L and 8R in the present embodiment), and therefore the game apparatus 3 can use the process result data relating to the motion, orientation, position and the like of the core unit 70 in the game process, whereby an operation input, which is different from an operation input performed by pressing an operation button or by using an operation key, is further intuitively performed. As described above, since the markers are provided in the vicinity of the display screen of the monitor 2, the motion, orientation, position and the like of the core unit 70 with respect to the display screen of the monitor 2 can be easily calculated based on positions from the markers. That is, the process result data used for obtaining the motion, orientation, position and the like of the core unit 70 can be used as operation input immediately applied to the display screen of the monitor 2.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a state where the player holds the core unit 70 with one hand will be described. FIG. 13 is an exemplary view illustrating a state where the player holds the core unit 70 with a right hand seen from a front side of the core unit 70. FIG. 14 is an exemplary view illustrating a state where the player holds the core unit 70 with the right hand seen from a left side of the core unit 70.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the overall size of the core unit 70 is small enough to be held by one hand of an adult or even a child. When the player puts a thumb on the top surface of the core unit 70 (e.g. near the cross key 72 a), and puts an index finger in the recessed portion on the bottom surface of the core unit 70 (e.g. near the operation button 72 i), the light entrance of the imaging information calculation section 74 on the front surface of the core unit 70 is exposed forward to the player. It should be understood that also when the player holds the core unit 70 with a left hand, the holding state is the same as that described for the right hand.

As shown in FIG. 15, the LED modules 8L and 8R each have a viewing angle θ1. The image pickup element 743 has a viewing angle θ2. For example, the viewing angle θ1 of the LED modules 8L and 8R is 34 degrees (half-value angle), and the viewing angle 92 of the image pickup element 743 is 41 degrees. When both the LED modules 8L and 8R are in the viewing angle θ2 of the image pickup element 743 and the image pickup element 743 is in the viewing angle 91 of the LED module 8L and the viewing angle θ1 of the LED module 8R, the game apparatus main body 5 determines a position of the core unit 70 by using positional information relating to the point having high brightness of the two LED modules 8L and 8R.

When either the LED module 8L or LED module 8R is in the viewing angle θ2 of the image pickup element 743, or when the image pickup element 743 is in either the viewing angle θ1 of the LED module 8L or the viewing angle θ1 of the LED module 8R, the game apparatus main body 5 determines a position of the core unit 70 using the positional information relating to the point having high brightness of the LED module 8L or the LED module 8R.

As described above, the motion, orientation, and position of the core unit 70 can be determined by using the output (the core acceleration data) from the acceleration sensor 701 provided in the core unit 70. In other words, the core unit 70 functions as operation input means in accordance with the movement of the hand of the player and its direction when the player moves a hand holding the core unit 70 from side to side and up and down.

With reference to FIG. 16, the following will describe a state where the player holds the subunit 76 with one hand. FIG. 16 is an exemplary view illustrating a state where the player holds the subunit 76 with a left hand seen from a right side of the subunit 76.

As shown in FIG. 16, the overall size of the subunit 76 is small enough to be held by one hand of an adult or even a child. For example, the player puts a thumb on the top surface of the subunit 76 (e.g. near the stick 78 a), puts an index finger on the front surface of the subunit 76 (e.g. near the operation buttons 78 d and 78 e), and puts a middle finger, ring finger and little finger on the bottom surface of the subunit 76, thereby holding the subunit 76. It should be understood that also when the player holds the subunit 76 with a right hand, the holding state is the same as that described for the left hand. Thus, the subunit 76 allows the player to easily operate the operation section 78 such as the stick 78 a and the operation buttons 78 d and 78 e while holding the subunit 76 with one hand. The main body (the housing 77) of the subunit 76 has such a shape and a size that the player can hold the subunit 76 at the side circumference thereof with one hand.

As described above, the motion, orientation, and position of the subunit 76 can be determined by using the output (the sub acceleration data) from the acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the subunit 76 functions as operation input means in accordance with the movement of the hand of the player and its direction when the player moves a hand holding the subunit 76 from side to side and up and down.

As an exemplary game realized by application of the present invention, there is a soccer game which is performed in a virtual game space. The following will describe in detail game processing for a soccer game, which is executed by the game system 1. FIG. 17 shows an example of main data stored in the main memory 33 of the game apparatus main body 5.

As shown in FIG. 17, the main memory 33 stores therein operation information Da, controller identification number data Db, movement vector data Dc, posture vector data Dd, pointed coordinate data De, virtual space position coordinate data Df, instruction target player data Dg, position data Dh, image data Di, and the like. As described later in detail, each controller 7 can control movement of a specific player character by a coordinate input of the controller 7 in a coach mode or a temporary coach mode, and the specific player character is referred to as an instruction target player. In addition to the data included in the information in FIG. 17, the main memory 33 stores therein data required for the game processing, such as data concerning an object and the like appearing in the game, data concerning the virtual game space, and the like. These data are generated by the CPU 30 executing the game program which is stored in the optical disc 4.

The operation information Da is a series of operation information which is transmitted as the transmission data from the controller 7, and updated to the latest operation data. The operation information Da includes first coordinate data Da1 and second coordinate data Da2 which correspond to the above process result data. The first coordinate data Da1 is data of coordinates representing a position (a position in a taken image) of an image of one of the markers 8L and 8R with respect to an image taken by the image pickup element 743. The second coordinate data Da2 is data of coordinates representing a position (a position in the taken image) of an image of the other of the markers 8L and 8R. For example, the position of the image of the marker is represented by an XY coordinate system in the taken image.

The operation information Da also includes key data Da3, acceleration data Da4, and the like in addition to the coordinate data obtained from the taken image (the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2) as an example of the process result data. More specifically, the key data Da3 is the core key data obtained from the operation section 72, and the sub key data obtained from the operation section 78. The acceleration data Da4 is the core acceleration data obtained from the acceleration sensor 701, and the sub acceleration data obtained from the acceleration sensor 761. It is noted that the communication unit 6 provided in the game apparatus 3 receives the operation information Da which is transmitted from the controller 7 at a predetermined interval, for example, every 5 ms, and the operation information Da is stored in a buffer (not shown) provided in the communication unit 6. Then, the operation information is read, for example, for each frame ( 1/60 sec.) which is a game processing cycle, and its latest information is stored in the main memory 33. In addition to the latest operation information, operation information for a previous predetermined time period is stored as a history in the operation information Da according to need. In the case where the game apparatus main body 5 is operated by a plurality of the controllers 7, operation information transmitted from each controller 7 is stored in the operation information Da so as to be associated with the respective controller identification number.

In the controller identification number data Db, a controller identification number, which is used for identifying operation information for each operation team and each operation mode described later, is described. For example, in the controller identification number data Db, a controller identification number Db1 for a player mode of a team A, a controller identification number Db2 for a coach mode of the team A, a controller identification number Db3 for a player mode of a team B, a controller identification number Db4 for a coach mode of the team B, and the like are described. It is noted that the aforementioned identification number data stored in the core unit 70 is transmitted from the core unit 70 and stored as the controller identification number data Db. All of the items in the controller identification number data Db are not necessarily always set, and information indicating that the item has not been set yet is set to an item which the player does not desire to set. A team mode, to which information indicating that it has not been set yet is set, may be computer-controlled. In a game in which three teams or more exist, a plurality of the controller identification number data Db, a number of which correspond to a number of the teams, is set. In a game which does not have an idea of a team, at least one controller for a player mode may be set. It is noted that identification number data for one controller may be set to a plurality of the controller identification number data Db. In this case, for example, processing for a player mode and processing for a coach mode can be executed by operation of the one controller.

The movement vector data Dc indicates directions in which each player character and a ball object appearing in the virtual game space are to move, and velocities at which each player and the ball object are to move. For example, in the movement vector data Dc, movement vector data Dc1 of a player character PC, movement vector data Dc2 of a non-player character NPC, movement vector data Dc3 of an instruction target player, movement vector data Dc4 of a ball object B, and the like are described. In the present embodiment, the virtual game space is a three-dimensional space. However, it can be easily understood by one skilled in the art that the present embodiment includes an aspect applicable to a game of a two-dimensional space.

The posture vector data Dd indicates a posture of the upper body of the player character PC in the virtual game space. For example, in the posture vector data Dd, vector data (posture vector data Vc), which is directed from the waist of the player character PC toward its head in a player character coordinate system, is described. The posture vector data Vc is a three-dimensional vector.

The pointed coordinate data De indicates pointed coordinates, which are based on a screen coordinate system of the monitor 2 and obtained based on the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2 and. For example, the pointed coordinates are calculated based on direction data which indicates a direction from the first coordinate data Da1 to the second coordinate data Da2 (e.g. a position of the first coordinate data Da1 is an initial point, and a position of the second coordinate data Da2 is an endpoint), and midpoint coordinate data indicating a midpoint between the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2. In the case where the images of the two markers (the markers 8L and 8R) are regarded as one target image, the midpoint coordinate data indicates the position of the target image. The virtual space position coordinate data Df indicates a virtual space position in the virtual game space which corresponds to the above pointed coordinates. The virtual space position coordinate data Df is calculated based on the pointed coordinate data De, a parameter of a virtual camera, configuration data of the virtual space (geographic data and object position data). It is noted that in the case where the game apparatus main body 5 is operated by a plurality of the controllers 7, the pointed coordinates calculated based on the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2 which are transmitted from each controller 7, and the virtual space position are stored in the pointed coordinate data De and the virtual space position coordinate data Df, respectively, so as to be associated with the respective controller identification number.

The instruction target player data Dg indicates an instruction target player for each controller 7. For example, in the instruction target player data Dg, data Dg1 indicating an instruction target player for a controller 7 for the player mode of the team A, data Dg2 indicating an instruction target player for a controller 7 for the coach mode of the team A, data Dg3 indicating an instruction target player for a controller 7 for the player mode of the team B, data Dg4 indicating an instruction target player for a controller 7 for the coach mode of the team B, and the like are described.

The position data Dh is data of coordinates in the virtual game space, which represent each position of the characters and the objects appearing in the virtual game space. The image data Di is image data for generating the characters, the objects, and backgrounds appearing in the virtual game space.

With reference to FIGS. 18 to 29, the following will describe in detail the game processing executed by the game apparatus main body 5. FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the game processing executed by the game apparatus main body 5. FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of subunit movement processing at a step 15 in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of pass processing at a step 16 in FIG. 18. FIG. 21 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of first shot processing at a step 17 in FIG. 18. FIG. 22 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of second shot processing at a step 18 in FIG. 18. FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of temporary coach mode processing at a step 19 in FIG. 18. FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of coach mode processing at a step 20 in FIG. 18. FIG. 25 is an exemplary view illustrating a game image displayed on the monitor 2. FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a position vector Vc which is set to the player character PC. FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a target position TP of a pass and regions A and B. FIG. 28 illustrates an example of paths along which the ball object B is to move. FIG. 29 illustrates an example of the movement vectors Vmnpc which are set to the non-player characters NPC. It is noted that among the game processing, processing through which the soccer game is performed in the virtual game space will be mainly described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 18 to 24, but other processing which are not directly relevant to the present invention will not be described in detail. In FIGS. 18 to 24, each step executed by the CPU 30 is abbreviated to “S”. Concerning coordinate axes of the virtual game space which is shown in FIG. 25, the left-right direction (the horizontal direction along which a touchline extends) corresponds to X-direction, the up-down direction (the vertical direction) corresponds to Y-direction, and the depth direction (the horizontal direction along which a goal line extends) corresponds to Z-direction.

When power is applied to the game apparatus main body 5, the CPU 30 of the game apparatus main body 5 executes the boot program stored in the boot ROM (not shown) to initialize each unit such as the main memory 33 and the like. Then, the game program stored in the optical disc 4 is read by the main memory 33, and the CPU 30 starts to execute the game program. The flow charts shown in FIGS. 18 to 24 show game processing which is executed by the CPU 30 executing the game program after the completion of the above processing.

As shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 30 executes initial setting processing in the game processing (a step 10), and advances the processing to the next step. For example, in the soccer game, player characters are divided into the team A and the team B, the game advances, and the player can operate the player characters of one of the teams (referred to as a team X). The player can select from the player mode in which the player directly operates the player characters of the team X, and the coach mode in which the player comprehensively governs the player characters of the team X. It is noted that both of the player mode and the coach mode do not have to be necessarily set, but only the player mode or only the coach mode may be set. Thus, in the above step 10, the CPU 30 sets and describes the controller identification number for the player mode of the team A, the controller identification number for the coach mode of the team A, the controller identification number for the player mode of the team B, and the controller identification number for the coach mode of the team B in the controller identification number data Db for identifying and administering the respective controller 7 operated for each team in each mode.

More specifically, a team (A or B) and a mode (player or coach) are selected in a menu screen displayed on the monitor 2 by operation of the controller 7 being used (each controller 7 in the case of a plurality of the controllers 7), and identification number data stored in the controller 7, by means of which this selection is performed, is set to the corresponding controller identification number Db. For example, when the team A and the player mode are selected by operation of a controller 7, the identification number of the controller 7 is set to the controller identification number Db1 for the player mode of the team A. Also, in the above step 10, the CPU 30 performs initial setting (setting of a game field, initial placement of each player character and the ball object, and the like) prior to the start of the game, and updates each data stored in the main memory 33.

Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not to start the game (a step 11). A condition for starting the game includes, for example, satisfaction of conditions to make the game started, an operation performed by the player for starting the game, and the like. The CPU 30 repeats the processing of the above step 11 when not starting the game, and advances the processing to the next step 12 when starting the game.

Each processing at the steps 12 to 24 is repeated at the above game processing cycle (e.g. every 1/60 sec.) for each of the teams A and B (the team X). Hereinafter, processing for each of the teams A and B is referred to as processing for the team X.

At the step 12, the CPU 30 receives the operation information from the controller 7 (each controller 7 in the case of a plurality of the controllers 7), and individually stores the operation information in the operation information Da for each controller identification number. Next, the CPU 30 refers to the controller identification number data Db, and determines whether or not a controller identification number Db for the player mode of the team X is set (a step 13). When the controller identification number Db for the player mode of the team X is set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 14. On the other hand, when the controller identification number Db for the player mode of the team X has not been set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 25.

At the step 14, the CPU 30 sets a movement vector Vmnpc of each non-player character NPC of the team X by using a predetermined automatic movement algorithm, stores the movement vectors Vmnpc in the movement vector data Dc. Then, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 21 through the subunit movement processing (the step 15), the pass processing (the step 16), the first shot processing (the step 17), the second shot processing (the step 18), the temporary coach mode processing (the step 19), and the coach mode processing (the step 20). The detailed processing executed at the steps 15 to 20 will be described later.

For example, as shown in FIG. 25, it is assumed that the player operates player characters PA which belong to the team A (shown by outline shapes) in the player mode, and plays the soccer game against the team B to which computer-controlled player characters PB (shown by black-filled shapes) belong. In this case, the player directly operates any one of the player characters PA (a player character PA1 in FIG. 25) as a player character PC, the other player characters PA become non-player characters NPC. All of the player characters PB become non-player characters NPC. The team, the player character of which keeps the ball object B, is an offensive team (in FIG. 25, the team A is an offensive team since the player character PA1 keeps the ball object B), and the other team is a defensive team (the team B in FIG. 25). When the team X is a defensive team (when the team X is the team B) at the above step 14, the CPU 30 sets, in accordance with a later-described posture vector of the upper body of the player character (the player character PA1) keeping the ball object B, the movement vector of a player character (a player character PB1 in FIG. 25) of the team X (the team B) which is located in a predetermined area which is set based on position data of the player character keeping the ball object B. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the CPU 30 sets the movement vector of the player character located in the above predetermined area so as to have a direction based on “a vector A which is obtained by projecting the posture vector of the player character (PA1) keeping the ball object B on a virtual horizontal plane (a vector having an X component equal to an X component of the posture vector, a Y component which is zero, and a Z component equal to a Z component of the posture vector)”. It is noted that the movement vector of the player character, which is set by the above automatic movement algorithm, may be corrected (typically added) by the vector A.

On the other hand, in the case of No at the step S13 (namely, when a controller 7 for the player mode of the team X has not been set), at the step 25, the CPU 30 sets the movement vectors Vmnpc of all of the player characters of the team X by using a predetermined automatic movement algorithm, stores the movement vectors Vmnpc in the movement vector data Dc (namely, since the controller 7 for the player mode of the team X has not been set, all of the player characters of the team X become non-player characters NPC). It is noted that at the above step 25, similarly as at the above step 14, setting and correction of the movement vector of the player character located in the predetermined area are performed in accordance with the posture vector. Then, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 21 through the coach mode processing (the step 20).

At the step 21, the CPU 30 moves each character and object in the virtual game space based on each movement vector data described in the movement vector data Dc, and displays a game image on the monitor 2. Next, the CPU 30 decreases each movement vector described in the movement vector data Dc by a predetermined amount, and updates the movement vector data Dc (a step 22). Then, the CPU 30 executes other processing executed in the soccer game, such as goal processing, foul processing, switching processing of the player character PC, and the like (a step 23), and advances the processing to the next step.

Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not to terminate the game (a step 24). A condition for terminating the game processing include, for example, satisfaction of conditions to make the game over, an operation performed by the player for terminating the game, and the like. The CPU 30 returns to and repeats the above step 12 when not terminating the game, and terminates the processing of the flow chart when terminating the game.

With reference to FIG. 19, the following will describe the detailed operation of the subunit movement processing at the step 15.

As shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 30 refers to the latest sub key data, which is included in operation information transmitted from the subunit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (a step 41), and advances the processing to the next step. Here, at the above step 12, the operation information transmitted from each controller 7 is individually stored in the operation information Da for the respective controller identification number, and the controller identification number for the player mode of the team X is described in the controller ID data Db. Thus, the CPU 30 can extract the operation information, which is transmitted from the subunit for the player mode, from the operation information Da based on the controller identification number for the player mode of the team X described in the controller ID data Db.

Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not there is a direction instruction input from the player based on the sub key data of the subunit for the player mode, which is referred to at the step 41 (a step 42). As described above, the subunit 76 is provided with the stick 78 a, and a direction instruction input can be performed by the player inclining the inclinable stick 78 a. When there is a direction instruction input from the player, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 43. On the other hand, when there is no direction instruction input from the player, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 47.

At the step 43, the CPU 30 calculates a movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC of the team X based on the direction instruction input from the subunit 76 for the player mode of the team X, updates the movement vector data Dc, and advances the processing to the next step. For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the movement vector Vmpc is set as data indicating a movement direction and a movement velocity of the player character PC in the virtual game space. At the step 43, based on the current movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC stored in the movement vector data Dc, the CPU 30 calculates a new movement vector Vmpc having a direction in the virtual game space, which is determined in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a, and a magnitude in accordance with the inclination angle of the stick 78 a. Through this processing, the movement direction and the movement velocity of the player character PC of the team X, which is operated by the player, in the virtual game space are controlled by operating the stick 78 a of the subunit 76 held by the player.

Next, the CPU 30 refers to the latest sub acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the subunit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (a step 44). The CPU 30 determines whether or not a magnitude of acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction (see FIG. 9) which is indicated by the sub acceleration data is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (a step 45). When the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 increases the magnitude of the movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC of the team X, which is determined at the step 43 as described above, by using a predetermined algorithm (e.g. increases the magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction or by a predetermined value, or multiplies the magnitude by n (n is a numeric value larger than one)), updates the movement vector data Dc of the player character PC (a step 46), and advances the processing to the next step 47. Through the processing at the step 46, the movement velocity of the player character PC, which is operated by the player, in the virtual game space is accelerated by the player inclining the subunit 76 forward (namely, inclining the subunit 76 so that the Z-axis positive direction is directed to a lower position than a Z-axis negative direction). On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the step 47. It is noted that it may be determined at the step 45 whether or not a magnitude of acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction is smaller than a predetermined value (a minus value). When the determination is Yes, the magnitude of the movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC of the team X is decreased by a predetermined algorithm (e.g. decreased in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction or by a predetermined value, or multiplied by m (m is a numeric value smaller than one)), and the movement vector data Dc of the player character PC is updated.

At the step 47, the CPU 30 refers to the latest sub acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the subunit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Then, the CPU 30 calculates a posture vector Vc of the player character PC of the team X based on the sub acceleration data, updates the posture vector data Dd, and advances the processing to the next step.

For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the posture vector Vc is set as data indicating a posture of the player character PC in the virtual game space. The posture vector Vc is set based on the player character coordinate system. In the player character coordinate system, the front-rear direction of the player character PC in the virtual game space is a Zp-axis direction (typically, the direction of the movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC is the Zp-axis direction, or in the case where a movement direction vector of the player character PC and a facing direction vector (a forward vector) of the player character PC are controlled independently, the direction of the facing direction vector of the player character PC may correspond to the Zp-axis direction), and the forward direction of the player character PC is a Zp-axis positive direction. Also, the left-right direction of the player character PC in the virtual game space is an Xp-axis direction, and the rightward direction seen from the player character PC is an Xp-axis positive direction. Further, the vertical direction of the player character PC in the virtual game space is a Yp-axis direction, and the upward direction is a Yp-axis positive direction. The posture vector Vc is set as vector data which is directed from the waist of the player character PC toward its head. The posture vector Vc is typically vector data in the player character coordinate system.

At a step 48, the CPU 30 calculates the posture vector Vc so as to cause acceleration in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 9) which is indicated by the sub acceleration data to correspond to the Xp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system, so as to cause acceleration in the Y-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data to correspond to the Yp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system, and so as to cause acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data to correspond to the Zp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system.

For example, at the step 48, as an example, the posture of the player character PC is controlled in accordance with the inclination of the subunit 76. In this case, more specifically, a value of the posture vector data in the Xp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system is determined in accordance with (typically, so as to be proportional to) a value of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data, a value of the posture vector data in the Yp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system is determined in accordance with (typically, so as to be proportional to) a value obtained by inverting a positive or negative sign of a value of the acceleration in the Y-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data, and a value of the posture vector data in the Zp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system is determined in accordance with (typically, so as to be proportional to) a value of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data (a common proportionality constant is typically used for each axis direction but it is not limited thereto). More specifically, for example, the posture vector data is determined so as to satisfy the following equation, the value of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data: the value of the acceleration in the Y-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data: the value of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data=the value of the posture vector data in the Xp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system: the value of the posture vector data in the Yp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system: the value of the posture vector data in the Zp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system. Or, the value of the posture vector data in the Xp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system may be determined in accordance with the value of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data, the value of the posture vector data in the Zp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system May be determined in accordance with the value of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data, and the value of the posture vector data in the Yp-axis direction in the player character coordinate system may be constant.

For example, at the step 48, as an example, the posture of the player character PC is controlled in accordance with movement (parallel movement) of the subunit 76. For example, when the player moves the subunit 76 rightward, acceleration is generated in the subunit 76 in the X-axis positive direction (when the player moves the subunit 76 rightward, acceleration in the X-axis positive direction outputted at the beginning of the movement may be detected, or acceleration in the X-axis negative direction outputted at the end of the movement may be detected). The acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76 detects the acceleration in the X-axis positive direction, and the subunit 76 transmits sub acceleration data indicating the acceleration to the game apparatus main body 5. Then, in accordance with the acceleration in the X-axis positive direction which is indicated by the received sub acceleration data, the CPU 30 adds to the posture vector Vc a vector having the Xp-axis positive direction and the same magnitude as the acceleration, and calculates a new posture vector Vc. The upper body of the player character PC is inclined in the Xp-axis positive direction in accordance with the newly calculated posture vector Vc. When the player moves the subunit 76 forward, acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction is generated in the subunit 76. The acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76 detects the acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction, and the subunit 76 transmits sub acceleration data indicating the acceleration to the game apparatus main body 5. Then, in accordance with the acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction which is indicated by the received sub acceleration data, the CPU 30 adds to the posture vector Vc a vector having the Zp-axis positive direction and the same magnitude as the acceleration, and calculates a new posture vector Vc. The upper body of the player character PC is inclined in the Zp-axis positive direction in accordance with the newly calculated posture vector Vc. Through this processing at the step 48, the posture of the player character PC, which is operated by the player, in the virtual game space changes in accordance with the movement of the subunit 76 which is made by the player.

At the steps 14 and 25, the movement vector of the player character (e.g. the player character PB1 shown in FIG. 25) of the opponent team which is located in the predetermined area of the player character PC keeping the ball object B is corrected in accordance with the posture vector Vc of the player character PC. More specifically, since correction is made by adding to the movement vector of the player character of the opponent team a vector which is obtained by projecting the posture vector Vc on the virtual horizontal plane, a direction in which the player character is to move is changed to the direction in which the posture vector Vc is inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the virtual game space. In other words, the player character of the opponent team moves in accordance with the posture of the player character PC which is changed by the movement of the subunit 76 made by the player, namely, a movement of the opponent player which is caused by the influence of a feint during a dribble is expressed.

Referring back to FIG. 19, after the processing at the step 48, the CPU 30 determines whether or not any of the player characters which belong to the team X keeps the ball object B (a step 49). When any of the player characters which belong to the team X keeps the ball object B (namely, when the team X is the offensive team), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 50. On the other hand, when none of the player characters which belong to the team X keeps the ball object B, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 19.

At the step 50, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude (the absolute value) of the acceleration in the X-axis direction, which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data which is referred to at the step 47, is equal to or larger than a predetermined acceleration A1 (e.g. the predetermined acceleration A1 may be 0.5 G or greater but may be any value). When the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined acceleration A1, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 51. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined acceleration A1, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 16.

At the step 51, the CPU 30 refers to a history of the sub acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the subunit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da, and determines whether or not the direction of the acceleration in the X-axis direction, which is indicated by the history of the sub acceleration data, is inverted n times (n is an integer number equal to or greater than one) within a last predetermined time period by a magnitude equal to or larger than the predetermined acceleration A1. For example, referring to the history of the sub acceleration data, whether or not “within the last predetermined time period, there is data which has acceleration with a positive or negative sign opposite of that of the acceleration indicated by the latest sub acceleration data (data having the acceleration which is determined to be equal to or larger than the acceleration A1 at the step 50) and with an absolute value equal to or larger than the acceleration A1” is determined (in the case of n=1). Or, whether or not “within the last predetermined time period, there is data which has acceleration with a positive or negative sign opposite of that of the acceleration indicated by the latest sub acceleration data and with an absolute value equal to or larger than the acceleration A1, and before this data, there is data which has acceleration with a positive or negative sign opposite of that of the acceleration of this data and with an absolute value equal to or larger than the acceleration A1” is determined (in the case of n=2). Alternatively, whether or not the direction of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the history of the sub acceleration data is inverted n times by a magnitude equal to or larger than the predetermined acceleration A1 and each interval of the inversion is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time period may be determined.

When the direction of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is inverted within the predetermined time period, the CPU 30 adds to the movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC of the team X a vector having the Xp-axis direction and a predetermined magnitude (The magnitude of the vector may be fixed or proportional to the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data. The direction of the vector is the Xp-axis positive direction when the acceleration in the X-axis direction is positive, and the Xp-axis negative direction when the acceleration in the X-axis direction is negative.) to produce a new movement vector Vmpc (a step 52). The CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 16. Through the processing at the steps 50 to 52, the movement of the player character PC, which is operated by the player, in the virtual game space is controlled so that the player character zigzags by the player shaking the subunit 76 in the left-right direction (namely, in the X-axis direction) On the other hand, when the direction of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is not inverted within the predetermined time period, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 16.

The above subunit movement processing is executed as exemplified below. In a first example, when the magnitude of the acceleration (the absolute value) in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (e.g. gravitational acceleration (1.0 G)), at the step 48, the posture vector is controlled by using the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data. In a second example, when the magnitude of the acceleration (the absolute value) in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, at the step 48, motion control is performed so that the player character PC substantially moves or shakes its upper body or its whole body (so as to express a feint).

In addition, the first example of the subunit movement processing may be performed as exemplified below. In a third example, when the magnitude (the absolute value) of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value and the direction of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the history of the sub acceleration data is inverted n times (n is an integer number equal to or greater than one) within the last predetermined time period by a magnitude equal to or larger than the acceleration A1, a vector having the Xp-axis direction and a predetermined magnitude is added to the movement vector Vmpc of the player character PC to produce a new movement vector Vmpc. In a fourth example, when the magnitude (the absolute value) of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value A2 and it is a case other than the third example, at the step 48, the posture vector is controlled by using the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the latest sub acceleration data. In the case of the first or fourth example, the movement control may not be performed so that “the player character of the opponent team which is located in the predetermined area of the player character PC” is influenced by a feint of the player character PC as described at the steps 14 and 25.

As described above, in the subunit movement processing at the step 15, the posture of the player character PC is controlled in accordance with the acceleration data which is outputted from the acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76 while the movement direction of the player character PC (additionally, the movement velocity) is controlled by means of a direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can input movement direction control and posture control of the player character PC with one hand efficiently and intuitively.

Further, in the subunit movement processing, the movement direction of the player character PC is corrected in accordance with the acceleration data which is outputted from the acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76 while (additionally, the movement velocity) being controlled by means of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can input the movement direction control of the player character PC and its correction with one hand efficiently and intuitively. More specifically, this processing is performed as follows. The direction of the movement vector of the player character PC is determined in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a. In other words, for example, when the direction instruction means is inclined upward, the player character PC moves in a Z-axis positive direction in a local coordinate system of the player character PC (the forward direction of the player character PC, or the direction of an advance direction vector of the player character PC). When the direction instruction means is inclined downward, the player character PC moves in a Z-axis negative direction in the local coordinate system of the player character PC. When the direction instruction means is inclined rightward, the player character PC moves in an X-axis positive direction in the local coordinate system. When the direction instruction means is inclined leftward, the player character PC moves in an X-axis negative direction in the local coordinate system. The magnitude of the movement vector may be a fixed value or may be determined in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a. The movement direction of the player character PC can be corrected in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 761 as exemplified below.

In a first example of correcting the movement direction of the player character PC, an output vector of the acceleration sensor 761, in which X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the acceleration sensor 761 correspond to X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of a predetermined coordinate system (an advance direction and two directions perpendicular to the advance direction), respectively, is converted into a direction vector in the virtual game space. The direction vector is added as a correction vector to the movement vector which is obtained in accordance with the inclination of the stick 78 a. The magnitude of the correction vector may be a fixed value or may be determined in accordance with the magnitude of the output vector.

In a second example of correcting the movement direction of the player character PC, when an output value of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. the X-axis direction) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a correction vector having the corresponding direction (e.g. the X-axis direction) in a predetermined coordinate system is added to the movement vector which is obtained in accordance with the inclination of the stick 78 a.

In a third example of correcting the movement direction of the player character PC, a correction vector having the corresponding direction (e.g. the X-axis direction) in a predetermined coordinate system and a magnitude in accordance with the output value in a predetermined direction (e.g. the X-axis direction) of the acceleration sensor 761 is added to the movement vector which is obtained in accordance with the inclination of the stick 78 a.

It is noted that the second and third examples of correcting the movement direction of the player character PC are performed for a plurality of directions. In other words, for example, in the third example, a correction vector having the X-axis direction in the predetermined coordinate system and a magnitude in accordance with the output value in the X-axis direction of the acceleration sensor 761 may be added to the movement vector which is obtained in accordance with the inclination of the stick 78 a, and further a correction vector having the Y-axis direction in the predetermined coordinate system and a magnitude in accordance with the output value of the acceleration sensor 761 in the Y-axis direction may be added thereto.

The predetermined coordinate system may be the local coordinate system of the player character PC, the coordinate system of the virtual game space (in this case, the direction vector is typically a virtual vertical direction or a virtual horizontal direction), a camera coordinate system, a coordinate system which is obtained by projecting the camera coordinate system on the virtual horizontal plane, or a coordinate system based on a movement direction which is determined by the direction instruction section (e.g. a direction in which the correction vector is perpendicular to the movement direction).

Further, in the subunit movement processing, the movement velocity of the player character PC is controlled while the movement direction of the player character PC is controlled by means of the direction instruction section provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can input the movement direction control and the movement velocity control of the player character PC with one hand efficiently and intuitively. In this case, this processing is performed as follows. The movement direction of the player character PC is determined in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a. The movement velocity (the absolute value) of the player character PC can be determined in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 761 as exemplified below.

In a first example of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, when the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the movement velocity is caused to become a predetermined velocity. When the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 is smaller than the predetermined value, the movement velocity is caused to become zero.

In a second example of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, the movement velocity is caused to become a velocity in accordance with the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 (the movement velocity is increased as the absolute value increases). At this time, when a predetermined component (e.g. a Z-axis direction component) of the output vector is positive, the player character PC may move in a movement direction in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a. When the predetermined component of the output vector is negative, the player character PC may move in a direction opposite to the movement direction in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a. Alternatively, only when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, the movement velocity may be determined as described in the second example.

In a third example of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. an output value in the Z-axis direction) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the movement velocity is caused to become a predetermined velocity. When the output component is smaller than the predetermined value, the movement velocity is caused to become zero.

In a fourth example of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, the movement velocity is caused to become a velocity in accordance with the absolute value of an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. an output value in the Z-axis direction).

It is noted that in the third and fourth examples of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, the player character PC may move in a movement direction in accordance with the inclination angle of the stick 78 a when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, and the player character PC may move in a direction opposite to the movement direction when the output component in the predetermined direction is negative. Alternatively, only when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, the movement velocity may be determined as described in the third and fourth examples.

In a fifth example of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, when an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a direction which corresponds to the inclination direction of the stick 78 a (an output value in the Z-axis direction when the inclination direction of the stick 78 a is the upward direction) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the movement velocity is caused to become a predetermined velocity. When the output component is smaller than the predetermined value, the movement velocity is caused to become zero.

In a sixth example of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, the movement velocity is caused to become a velocity in accordance with the absolute value of an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a direction which corresponds to the inclination direction of the stick 78 a (an output value in the Z-axis direction when the inclination direction of the stick 78 a is the upward direction, an output value in the X-axis direction when the inclination direction of the stick 78 a is the rightward direction, or the like).

It is noted that in the fifth and sixth examples of determining the movement velocity of the player character PC, the player character PC may move in a movement direction in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a when the output component in the corresponding direction is positive, and the player character PC may move in a direction opposite to the movement direction when the output component in the corresponding direction is negative.

Further, in the subunit movement processing, the correction of the movement velocity is controlled while the movement direction and the movement velocity of the player character PC are controlled by means of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can input the movement direction control of the player character PC and the correction control of the movement velocity with one hand efficiently and intuitively. In this case, the processing is performed as follows. The movement direction of the player character PC is determined in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a, and the movement velocity of the player character PC is determined in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a. The movement velocity of the player character PC can be corrected in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 761 as exemplified below.

In a first example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, when the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a is used as the movement velocity of the player character PC. When the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 is smaller than the predetermined value, the movement velocity of the player character PC is corrected to zero.

In a second example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, when the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a is used as the movement velocity of the player character PC. When the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761 is larger than the predetermined value, the movement velocity of the player character PC is increased (a predetermined value is added thereto, it is multiplied by n (n>1), or the like).

In a third example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, in accordance with the absolute value of the output vector of the acceleration sensor 761, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a is added to the movement velocity of the player character PC (so that the increase amount increases with an increase in the absolute value).

It is noted that in the second and third examples of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, the player character PC may move in a movement direction in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a when the predetermined component of the output vector (e.g. a Z-axis direction component) is positive, and the player character PC may move in a direction opposite to the movement direction in accordance with the inclination angle of the stick 78 a when the predetermined component of the output vector is negative. Alternatively, only when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, the movement velocity may be corrected as described in the second and third examples.

In a fourth example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, when an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. an output value in the Z-axis direction) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination angle of the stick 78 a is used as the movement velocity of the player character PC. When the output component in the predetermined direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the movement velocity of the player character PC is corrected to zero.

In a fifth example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. an output value in the Z-axis direction) is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination angle of stick 78 a is used as the movement velocity of the player character PC. When the output component in the predetermined direction is larger than the predetermined value, the movement velocity of the player character PC is increased. It is noted that only when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, the movement velocity may be corrected as described in the fifth example. When the output component in the predetermined direction is negative, the movement velocity of the player character PC may be decreased by using a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a.

In a sixth example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, in accordance with the magnitude of an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. an output value in the Z-axis direction), the movement velocity of the player character PC is increased by using a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a (so that the increase amount increases with an increase in the absolute value). It is noted that only when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, the movement velocity may be corrected as described in the sixth example. When the output component in the predetermined direction is negative, the movement velocity of the player character PC may be decreased by using a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a.

In a seventh example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, when an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a direction which corresponds to the inclination direction of the stick 78 a (e.g. an output value in the Z-axis positive direction when the inclination direction of the stick 78 a is the upward direction, an output value in the X-axis positive direction when the inclination direction of the stick 78 a is the rightward direction, or the like) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a is used as the movement velocity of the player character PC. When the output component is smaller than the predetermined value, the movement velocity of the player character PC is corrected to zero.

In an eighth example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, when an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a direction which corresponds to the inclination direction of the stick 78 a is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a is used as the movement velocity of the player character PC. When the output component is larger than the predetermined value, the movement velocity of the player character PC is increased.

In a ninth example of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, in accordance with the magnitude of an output component of the acceleration sensor 761 in a direction which corresponds to the inclination direction of the stick 78 a, the movement velocity of the player character PC is increased by using a movement velocity in accordance with the inclination amount of the stick 78 a (so that the increase amount increases with an increase in the absolute value).

It is noted that in the eighth and ninth examples of correcting the movement velocity of the player character PC, only when the output component in the predetermined direction is positive, the movement velocity may be corrected as described in the eighth and ninth examples. Alternatively, the player character PC may move in a movement direction in accordance with the inclination direction of the stick 78 a when the output value in the corresponding direction is positive, and the player character PC may move in a direction opposite to the movement direction when the output value in the corresponding direction is negative (when there is an output in a direction opposite to the corresponding direction).

Further, in the subunit movement processing, a motion of the player character PC is controlled (e.g. the above feint motion) while the movement direction of the player character PC (additionally, the movement velocity) is controlled by means of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can input the movement direction control and the motion control of the player character PC with one hand efficiently and intuitively. This is achieved by controlling the player character PC so as to perform a predetermined motion when the output of the acceleration sensor 761 satisfies a predetermined condition. Further, in the case of performing concurrently at least one of the above examples of the subunit movement processing and processing for controlling the player character PC so as to perform a predetermined motion when the output of the acceleration sensor 761 satisfies a predetermined condition, at least the one of the above examples of the subunit movement processing may be performed when an output value of the acceleration sensor 761 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, and the processing for controlling the player character PC so as to perform the predetermined motion may be performed when the output value of the acceleration sensor 761 is larger than the predetermined value.

Further, in the subunit movement processing, the position of the player character PC which is determined in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76 may be determined in a different manner. FIG. 30 is a flow chart of a subroutine showing a detailed operation of another example of the subunit movement processing. The other example of the subunit movement processing shown in FIG. 30 differs from the subunit movement processing shown in FIG. 19 in processing executed between the steps 43 and 44, the processing at the step 46, and the processing at the step 52. The following will describe the processing different from the subunit movement processing shown in FIG. 19, the detailed description of the same processing as the subunit movement processing shown in FIG. 19 will be omitted. In the other example of the subunit movement processing, position data (hereinafter, referred to as PC position data) indicating the position of the player character PC in the virtual game space is stored in an area (not shown) of the main memory 33.

As shown in FIG. 30, the CPU 30 updates the PC position data in the main memory 33 based on the movement vector Vmpc which is calculated at the step 43 based on the direction instruction input (a step 171), and advances the processing to the step 44. For example, in the processing at the step 171, a position after movement by the movement vector Vmpc is calculated, and the last PC position data stored in the main memory 33, which indicates the position in the virtual game space, is updated to PC position data indicating the calculated position.

When the acceleration in the Z-axis positive direction is equal to or larger than a predetermined value at the step 45, the CPU 30 calculates a displacement vector in accordance with the acceleration data Da4 (a step 172), and advances the processing to the step 47. A method of calculating the displacement vector at the step 172 is the same as the above method of calculating the correction vector at the step 46 (including the above-described variations).

When the direction of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is inverted within the predetermined time period at the step 51, the CPU 30 calculates a displacement vector in accordance with the acceleration data Da4 (a step 173), and terminates the processing of this subroutine. A method of calculating the displacement vector at the step 173 is the same as the above method of calculating the correction vector at the step 52 (including the above-described variations).

In the processing at the step 21 shown in FIG. 18, a sum vector which is obtained by adding the displacement vector calculated at the step 172 and the displacement vector calculated at the step 173 is calculated, the player character PC is moved in the virtual game space to a position to which the position in the virtual game space which is indicated by the PC position data is displaced by the sum vector, and a game image is displayed on the monitor 2. However, at the step 21, the PC position data stored in the main memory 33 is not updated. If such processing is performed, a basic position (the position indicated by the PC position data) of the player character PC in the virtual game space is moved by a direction instruction input. In accordance with the acceleration data outputted from the acceleration sensor 701, the player character PC is moved to a position to which the basic position is temporarily displaced to, and displayed. Through such processing, operability is obtained without an uncomfortable feeling.

With reference to FIG. 20, the following will describe in detail the operation of the pass processing at the step 16.

As shown in FIG. 20, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core key data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (a step 81). Next, based on the core key data which is referred to at the step 81, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the player presses only the operation section 72 d (the A button) of the core unit 70 (a step 82). When the player presses only the A button, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 83. On the other hand, when the player does not press the A button or concurrently presses the A button and another button (e.g. the B button), the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 17.

At the step 83, the CPU 30 refers to the latest first coordinate data Da1 and second coordinate data Da2, which are included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (the step 83). Next, the CPU 30 calculates pointed coordinates which correspond to the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2 which are referred to at the step 83, and a position which corresponds to the pointed coordinates, and updates the pointed coordinate data De and the virtual space position coordinate data Df which correspond to the core unit for the player mode of the team X (a step 84). The CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step. The following will describe an example of calculating the pointed coordinates and the virtual space position by using the coordinate data.

The CPU 30 calculates direction data from the first coordinate data Da1 to the second coordinate data Da2. More specifically, the CPU 30 refers to the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2, and calculates a vector having a starting point which is the position of the first coordinate data Da1, and an end point which is the position of the second coordinate data Da2. The CPU 30 stores data of the calculated vector as the direction data in the main memory 33. By using a difference between the direction data and a predetermined reference direction, rotation of the core unit 70 about a direction perpendicular to the imaging area of the core unit 70 can be calculated.

The CPU 30 calculates midpoint data indicating the midpoint between the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2. More specifically, the CPU 30 refers to the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2, and calculates coordinates of the midpoint. The CPU 30 stores data of the calculated coordinates of the midpoint in the main memory 33. The midpoint data indicates the position of the target image (the markers 8L and 8R) in the taken image. By using a difference between the midpoint data and a predetermined reference position, a change in the image position caused by a change in the position of the core unit 70 can be calculated.

Here, a positional relation between the markers 8L and 8R, the display screen of the monitor 2, and the core unit 70 will be considered. For example, it is assumed that the two markers 8L and 8R are provided on the top surface of the monitor 2 (see FIG. 1), and the player points the core unit 70 at the center of the display screen of the monitor 2 with the top surface thereof facing in the upward direction (an image of the center of the display screen is taken at the center of an taken image of the imaging information calculation section 74). At this time, in the taken image of the imaging information calculation section 74, the midpoint of the target image (the midpoint between the markers 8L and 8R) does not coincide with to the pointed position (the center of the display screen). More specifically, the position of the target image in the taken image is located above the center of the taken image. A reference position is set so that when the target image is located in such a position, the center of the display screen is assumed to be pointed at. Meanwhile, the position of the target image in the taken image moves in accordance with the movement of the core unit 70 (their movement directions are opposite to each other). Thus, by performing processing of moving the pointed position on the display screen in accordance with the movement of the position of the target image in the taken image, the display screen reference position of the at which the core unit 70 is pointed (position coordinates in the screen coordinate system) can be calculated. Here, concerning the setting of the reference position, the player may in advance point at a predetermined position on the display screen, and the position of the target image at this time is stored so as to be associated with the predetermined position. When the positional relation between the target image and the display screen is fixed, the reference position may be set in advance. When the markers 8L and 8R are provided independently of the monitor 2 and disposed near the monitor 2 (above or below the monitor 2, or the like), the player may be caused to input the position of the markers 8L and 8R with respect to the monitor prior to the start of the game (e.g. the player may be caused to select from choices such as disposing the markers 8L and 8R above or below the monitor 2, and the like). Or, reference position data for the case where the markers 8L and 8R are disposed above the monitor 2 and reference position data for the case where the markers 8L and 8R are disposed below the monitor 2 may be stored in the optical disc 4, a built-in involatile memory of the game apparatus 3, or the like, and may be selected in use. Such position coordinates in the screen coordinate system are calculated by linear transformation using a function of calculating the display screen reference coordinates (pointed coordinates) of the monitor 2 from the midpoint data. This function converts the values of the midpoint coordinates which are calculated from a taken image into coordinates indicating a position on the display screen (position coordinates in the screen coordinate system), at which the core unit 70 is pointed when the image is taken. By using this function, pointed coordinates where the display screen is a reference can be calculated from the midpoint coordinates.

However, when the player points the core unit 70 at the center of the display screen of the monitor 2 with the top surface thereof facing in a direction (e.g. a rightward direction) other than the upward direction, the position of the target image in the taken image is shifted from the center of the taken image in a direction (e.g. a leftward direction) other than the upward direction. In other words, due to the inclination of the core unit 70, the movement direction of the core unit 70 does not correspond to the movement direction of the pointed display screen reference position. Here, the midpoint data is corrected based on the direction data. Specifically, the midpoint data is corrected to midpoint coordinates when it is assumed that the top surface of the core unit 70 faces in the upward direction. More specifically, when the reference position is set, a reference for the direction data is also set. The midpoint data is corrected so that coordinates indicated by the midpoint data are rotated and shifted about the center of the taken image by an amount corresponding to an angle difference between the direction data and the reference direction. Then, the corrected midpoint data is used to calculate the pointed coordinates as described above.

When the calculated pointed coordinates in the screen coordinate system are converted into virtual space coordinates indicating a position in the virtual game space (a virtual space position), the position indicated by the pointed coordinates may be further converted into a position in the virtual game space which corresponds to the position in the screen coordinate system. The position in the virtual game space which corresponds to the position in the screen coordinate system is a position in the virtual game space which is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 2 (e.g. a position at which perspective projection is performed), a position indicated by three-dimensional coordinate values in the virtual game space which are designated directly from position coordinates in the screen coordinate system, or the like.

An essential principle for processing of calculating the pointed coordinates is to calculate a displacement amount of pointed two-dimensional coordinates from a predetermined reference position based on a change in the position of the target image by a movement of the core unit 70, and to set coordinates. Thus, the position coordinates in the screen coordinate system can be widely used for an input of other two-dimensional coordinates. For example, the position coordinates in the screen coordinate system can be used directly as values of an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate in a world coordinate system. In this case, independently of the display screen of the monitor 2, calculation processing may be performed so as to cause movement of the target image to correspond to movement of the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate in the world coordinate system from the reference position. In the case where a two-dimensional game image is displayed on the monitor 2, the position coordinates in the screen coordinate system can be used directly as values of an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate in a two-dimensional game coordinate system.

After the processing at the step 84, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the virtual space position in the virtual game space which corresponds to the calculated pointed coordinates is on a virtual field (a step 85). For example, the virtual field is a virtual plane indicating a ground in a game space, which includes a virtual soccer field. When the virtual space position is on the virtual field, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 90. On the other hand, when the virtual space position is not on the virtual field, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the pointed coordinates in the screen coordinate system are shifted upward or downward from the display area of the monitor 2 (a step 86) and whether or not the pointed coordinates in the screen coordinate system is shifted leftward or rightward from the display area of the monitor 2 (a step 87). When the pointed coordinates are shifted upward or downward from the display area of the monitor 2 (Yes at the step 86), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 88. When the pointed coordinates are shifted leftward or rightward from the display area of the monitor 2 (Yes at the step 87), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 89. On the other hand, when the pointed coordinates are shifted in a direction other than upward, downward, leftward and rightward from the display area of the monitor 2, or when the pointed coordinates are invalid (e.g. cannot be calculated) (No at the steps 86 and 87), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 95.

At the step 88, the CPU 30 sets a ball movement vector, which indicates a movement direction and a movement velocity of the ball object B, so as to have a predetermined magnitude and a direction parallel to the goal line of the soccer field which is set in the virtual game space, updates the movement vector data Dc, and advances the processing to the next step 95. It is noted that the direction of the ball movement vector which is set at the step 88 may be set to be a direction in which a view line direction vector of the virtual camera is projected on the virtual horizontal plane of the virtual game space.

At the step 89, the CPU 30 sets the ball movement vector, which indicates the movement direction and the movement velocity of the ball object B, so as to have a predetermined magnitude and a direction parallel to the touchline of the soccer field which is set in the virtual game space, updates the movement vector data Dc, and advances the processing to the next step 95. It is noted that the direction of the ball movement vector which is set at the step 89 may be set to be a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction in which the view line direction vector of the virtual camera is projected on the virtual horizontal plane of the virtual game space.

At the step 90, the CPU 30 determines whether or not a player character of the team X is located within a region A having a center at the virtual space position which is calculated at the step 84 (typically, the region is a circular region having a center at the virtual space position with a predetermined radius R1 but may not be circular). When the determination is Yes, the CPU 30 selects the player character (selects the player character nearest to the virtual space position when there are a plurality of the player characters within the region A). When no player character of the team X is located within the region A, the CPU 30 determines whether or not a player character of the team X is located within a region B having a center at the virtual space position which is calculated at the step 84 (typically, the region is a circular region having a center at the virtual space position with a predetermined radius R2 (>R1) but may not be circular). When the determination is Yes, the CPU 30 selects the player character (a step 92) (selects the player character nearest to the virtual space position or all or some of the player characters when there are a plurality of the player characters within the region B). When the player character of the team X is located within the region A (Yes at the step 90), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 91. When the player character of the team X is located within the region B (Yes at the step 92), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 93. Further, when no player character of the team X is located within either the region A or the region B (No at the steps 90 and 92), the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 94. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the region A and the region B are each formed of a circular region having a center at a virtual space position TP, and the region B is larger in size than the region A. The CPU 30 refers to the latest position data Dh, and determines the player character located within the region A and the region B based on the position of each player character in the virtual game space.

At the step 91, the CPU 30 sets the ball movement vector in accordance with the player character which is selected at the step 90, and updates the movement vector data Dc. For example, the CPU 30 sets the direction of the ball movement vector to be a direction which is directed from the current position of the ball object B to the position of the player character. In addition, the CPU 30 may set the magnitude of the ball movement vector to be a magnitude in accordance with a virtual distance from the current position of the ball object B to the position of the player character. Then, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 95.

At the step 93, the CPU 30 sets, in accordance with the virtual space position TP, the movement vector of the player character which is selected at the step 92, and updates the movement vector data Dc. For example, the CPU 30 sets the direction of the movement vector of the player character to be a direction which is directed from the current position of the player character, which is selected at the step 92, to the virtual space position TP. In addition, the CPU 30 may set the magnitude of the movement vector of the player character to be a magnitude in accordance with a virtual distance from the current position of the selected player character to the virtual space position TP. Then, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 94.

At the step 94, the CPU 30 sets the ball movement vector in accordance with the virtual space position TP, and updates the movement vector data Dc. For example, the CPU 30 sets the direction of the ball movement vector to be a direction which is directed from the current position of the ball object B to the virtual space position TP. In addition, the CPU 30 may set the magnitude of the ball movement vector to be a magnitude in accordance with a virtual distance from the current position of the ball object B to the virtual space position TP. Then, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 95.

Through the processing at the steps 90 to 94 which are performed when the player presses the A button as described above, the movement direction of the ball object B (additionally, the movement velocity) is determined, thereby setting a direction in which the ball is to be passed. As being clear from the above description, when there is no player character of the player's team near the virtual space position TP at which the core unit 70 is pointed, a target point to which the ball object B is to be passed becomes the virtual space position TP. When there is a player character of the player's team within the region A or near the virtual space position TP at which the core unit 70 is pointed, the target point to which the ball object B is to be passed becomes the player character of the player's team within the region A. Further, when there is a player character of the player's team within the region B or at a little distance from the virtual space position TP at which the core unit 70 is pointed, the target point to which the ball object B is to be passed becomes the virtual space position TP, and the player character of the player's team within the region B moves to the virtual space position TP.

At the step 95, the CPU 30 refers to the latest sub acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the subunit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. The CPU 30 determines whether or not the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data is negative (namely, detects the acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction) (a step 96). When the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is negative, the CPU 30 adds a vector having the vertically upward direction to the ball movement vector (a step 97). It is noted that the added vector may have a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude (the absolute value) of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction. Then, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 17. Through the processing at the step 97, a path along which the ball object B is to be passed by the player character PC becomes a path along which the ball object B is kicked high so as to move by the player operating the subunit 76 so that the front thereof rises (namely, acceleration is generated in the Z-axis negative direction). On the other hand, when the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is not negative, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 17.

As described above, in the pass processing at the step 16, an operation for moving the ball object B from the position of the player character PC keeping the ball object B is performed by the player pressing only the A button. The movement direction of the ball object B (additionally, the movement velocity) is controlled by the coordinate data (the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2) obtained from the core unit 70 while the movement direction of the player character PC (additionally, the movement velocity) is controlled by means of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. Therefore, the player can operate different characters (objects) by operating the two units. In other words, the player can efficiently, intuitively, and individually input movement direction control of a first character (the player character PC) and movement direction control of a second character (the ball object B) which moves from the position of the first character (to be exact, the position of the second character which is determined with the determination of the position of the first character). Since an operation for moving the player character PC and an operation for determining a pass direction are independent from each other (further, the housing 77 for performing the operation for moving and the housing 71 for performing the operation for determining the pass direction are independent from each other), a realistic soccer game can be realized with a high degree of freedom.

Concerning the movement control of the second character (the ball object B), a second direction vector which is determined in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 761 of the subunit 76 is added to a first direction vector which is determined by the pointed coordinates by the core unit 70, thereby calculating a movement direction vector of the second character. More specifically, the movement direction vector of the second character can be calculated as exemplified below.

In a first example of calculating the movement direction vector of the second character, an output vector of the acceleration sensor 761, in which X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the acceleration sensor 761 correspond to X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of a predetermined coordinate system (an advance direction and two directions perpendicular to the advance direction), respectively, is converted into a direction vector in the virtual game space. The direction vector is added as the second direction vector to the first direction vector. The magnitude of the second direction vector may be fixed or may be determined in accordance with the magnitude of the output vector.

In a second example of calculating the movement direction vector of the second character, when an output value of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. the X-axis direction) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the second direction vector having the corresponding direction in the predetermined coordinate system (e.g. the X-axis direction) is added to the first direction vector.

In a third example of calculating the movement direction vector of the second character, the second direction vector having the corresponding direction in the predetermined coordinate system (e.g. the X-axis direction) and a magnitude in accordance with an output value of the acceleration sensor 761 in a predetermined direction (e.g. the X-axis direction) is added to the first direction vector.

It is noted that the second and third examples of calculating the movement direction vector of the second character may be performed for a plurality of directions. In other words, for example, in the third example, the second direction vector having the X-axis direction in the predetermined coordinate system and a magnitude in accordance with the output value of the acceleration sensor 761 in the X-axis direction may be added to the first direction vector, and further the second direction vector having the Y-axis direction in the predetermined coordinate system and a magnitude in accordance with the output value of the acceleration sensor 761 in the Y-axis direction may be added to the first direction vector.

It is noted that the predetermined coordinate system may be the local coordinate system of the player character PC, the coordinate system of the virtual game space (in this case, the second direction vector is typically a virtual vertical direction or a virtual horizontal direction), the camera coordinate system, the coordinate system which is obtained by projecting the camera coordinate system on the virtual horizontal plane, or the coordinate system based on the movement direction which is determined by means of the direction instruction section (e.g. a direction in which the second direction vector is perpendicular to the movement direction).

Thus, while the movement direction of the character is controlled by the pointed coordinates by the core unit 70, an operation for correcting its direction can be realized by inclining or moving the subunit.

With reference to FIG. 21, the following will describe in detail an operation of the first shot processing at the step 17.

As shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core key data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (a step 101). Next, based on the core key data which is referred to at the step 101, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the player concurrently presses the operation section 72 d (the A button) and the operation section 72 i (the B button) of the core unit 70 (a step 102). When the player concurrently presses the A and B buttons, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 103. On the other hand, when the player does not concurrently presses the A and B buttons, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 18.

At the step 103, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Then, the CPU 30 calculates the ball movement vector in accordance with the core acceleration data, updates the movement vector data Dc (a step 104), and advances the processing to the next step. For example, the CPU 30 calculates the ball movement vector having the forward direction of the player character PC keeping the ball object B (e.g. the movement direction, namely, the direction of the movement direction vector of the player character PC) and a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction, which is included in the referred core acceleration data.

Thus, the movement velocity of the ball object B is determined in accordance with the acceleration data which is outputted from the acceleration sensor 701 provided in the core unit 70 while the movement direction of the ball object B is controlled by means of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can efficiently, and intuitively, and individually input the movement direction control and movement velocity control of the ball object PC. Further, while the movement velocity of the ball object B is controlled in accordance with the inclination amount of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76, the movement velocity of the ball object B may be corrected in accordance with the acceleration data (or a component of the acceleration data in a predetermined axis direction) which is outputted from the acceleration sensor 701 provided in the core unit 70 (e.g. when there is acceleration in the Z-axis direction, a predetermined value may be added the movement velocity, the movement velocity may be multiplied by n (n>1), or a multiple number may be determined in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction). In other words, the player can efficiently, intuitively, and individually input the movement direction control and the movement velocity control (or movement velocity correction control) of the ball object PC.

Next, the CPU 30 refers to the latest sub acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the subunit for the player mode of the team x, from the operation information Da (a step 105). Then, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data is negative (namely, detects the acceleration in the Z-axis negative direction) (a step 106). When the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is negative, the CPU 30 adds a vector having the vertically upward direction in the virtual game space to the ball movement vector, updates the movement vector data Dc (a step 107), and advances the processing to the next step 108. It is noted that the added vector having the vertically upward direction may have a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction. On the other hand, when the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is not negative, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the step 108.

At the step 108, the CPU 30 changes the ball movement vector in accordance with the acceleration data in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the sub acceleration data which is referred to at the step 105, and advances the processing to the next step. For example, the CPU 30 adds to the current ball movement vector a vector having a direction parallel to the virtual horizontal plane and perpendicular to the ball movement vector (the direction is determined by a positive or negative sign of the acceleration data in the X-axis direction) and a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction, and update the movement vector data Dc.

Thus, the movement direction of the ball object B is corrected in accordance with the acceleration data which is outputted from the acceleration sensor 761 provided in the subunit 76 while being controlled by means of the direction instruction section (the stick 78 a) provided in the subunit 76. In other words, the player can input the movement direction control and movement direction correction control of the ball object PC with one hand efficiently and intuitively. The direction of the correction vector may be a fixed direction in the virtual game space (the virtual vertical direction, a virtual horizontal direction, or the like), a direction based on the view line direction of the virtual camera (the view line direction, a direction perpendicular to the view line direction, or the like), a direction based on the movement direction which is determined by the direction instruction section (a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, or the like), a predetermined axis direction in the local coordinate system of the player character PC, or a direction based on the movement direction which is determined by the direction instruction section (a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, or the like).

Next, the CPU 30 refers to a history of the core acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da, and calculates an average of acceleration which is generated in each of X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions for a last predetermined time period (a step 109). Then, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Z-axis direction which is calculated at the step 109 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (a step 110). When the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Z-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 111. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 112.

At the step 111, the CPU 30 increases the magnitude of the ball movement vector. For example, the CPU 30 may add a predetermined value to the magnitude of the ball movement vector, may multiply the magnitude of the ball movement vector by n (n>1), or may increases the magnitude of the ball movement vector in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Z-axis direction which is calculated at the step 109.

At the step 112, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Y-axis direction which is calculated at the step 109 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. As being clear from FIG. 5 and the like, when the core unit 70 is held horizontally, since the gravitational acceleration is constantly applied in the Y-axis negative direction, a predetermined value which takes into account the gravitational acceleration is preferably set as a criterion at the step 112. When the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Y-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 113. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Y-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 114.

At the step 113, the CPU 30 adds a vector having the vertically upward direction to the ball movement vector, updates the movement vector data Dc, and advances the processing to the next step 114. The magnitude of the vector having the vertically upward direction may be a fixed magnitude or may be a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Y-axis direction which is calculated at the step 109.

At the step 114, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration average in the X-axis direction which is calculated at the step 109 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. When the magnitude of the acceleration average in the X-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 115. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration average in the X-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 18.

At the step 115, the CPU 30 adds to the current ball movement vector a vector having a direction parallel to the virtual horizontal plane and perpendicular to the ball movement vector (the direction is determined by a positive or negative sign of the acceleration average in the X-axis direction), and updates the movement vector data Dc. Then, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 18. It is noted that the magnitude of the vector having the perpendicular direction may be a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration average in the X-axis direction which is calculated at the step 109.

Thus, when a predetermined operation button (it is the operation button of the core unit 70 in the above example, but may be the operation button of the subunit 76) is operated, a character (the ball object B) starts to move, and its movement direction is determined based on a direction instructed by the direction instruction section of the subunit 76. Further, the movement direction is corrected in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 701 of the core unit 70 prior to operation of the predetermined operation button (typically, the outputs of the acceleration sensor 701 for a last predetermined time period prior to operating the predetermined operation button are used). Thus, the player can efficiently, intuitively, and individually input the movement direction control and the movement direction correction control of the ball object B with hands, respectively. It is noted that the movement direction may be corrected in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 761 prior to operation of the predetermined operation button. Also, the direction of the correction vector may be a predetermined direction in the coordinate system of the virtual game space (typically, a Y-axis direction), a predetermined direction in the camera coordinate system, a predetermined direction in the local coordinate system, a predetermined direction in a coordinate system which is obtained by projecting the camera coordinate system on the virtual horizontal plane, or a direction based on the movement direction which is determined by the direction instruction section (a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, or the like). Thus, the player can efficiently and intuitively input the movement direction control and the movement direction correction control of the ball object B.

In the first shot processing at the step 17, an operation for the player character PC keeping the ball object B to take a shot is performed by the player concurrently pressing the A and B buttons. The initial velocity and the initial direction of the shot taken by the player character PC are determined by the facing direction of the player character PC, the magnitude of the acceleration which is indicated by the core acceleration data obtained from the core unit 70, and the magnitude of the acceleration which is indicated by the sub acceleration data obtained from the subunit 76. In other words, the initial path of the shot taken by the player character PC is not determined by a simple button operation but determined in accordance with the movement of the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 when the player performs a shot operation. Therefore, the player can take a shot with a high degree of freedom while moving the core unit 70 and the subunit 76, and thus a realistic soccer game can be realized.

With reference to FIG. 22, the following will describe in detail an operation of the second shot processing at the step 18.

As shown in FIG. 22, the CPU 30 refers to a history of the core key data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (a step 121). Then, based on the core key data which is referred to at the step 121, the CPU 30 determines whether or not it is within a predetermined time period after the player concurrently presses the operation section 72 d (the A button) and the operation section 72 i (the B button) of the core unit 70 (a step 122). When it is within the predetermined time period after the player concurrently presses the A and B buttons, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 123. On the other hand, when it is not within the predetermined time period after the player concurrently presses the A and B buttons, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 19.

At the step 123, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Then, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 123 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (a step 124). When the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 125. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 126.

At the step 125, the CPU 30 increases the magnitude of the ball movement vector. For example, the CPU 30 may add a predetermined value to the magnitude of the ball movement vector, may multiply the magnitude of the ball movement vector by n (n>1), or may increase the magnitude of the ball movement vector in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Z-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 123.

At the step 126, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration in the Y-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 123 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. As being clear from FIG. 5 and the like, when the core unit 70 is held horizontally, since the gravitational acceleration is constantly applied in the Y-axis negative direction, a predetermined value which takes into account the gravitational acceleration is preferably set as a criterion at the step 126. When the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Y-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 127. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration average in the Y-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 128.

At the step 127, the CPU 30 adds a vector having the vertically upward direction in the virtual game space to the ball movement vector, updates the movement vector data Dc, and the advances the processing to the next step 128. The magnitude of the vector having the vertically upward direction may be a fixed magnitude or may be a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the Y-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 123.

At the step 128, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 123 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. When the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to a step 129. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 19.

At the step 129, the CPU 30 adds to the current ball movement vector a vector having a direction parallel to the virtual horizontal plane and perpendicular to the ball movement vector (the direction is determined by a positive or negative sign of the acceleration in the X-axis direction), and updates the movement vector data Dc. The magnitude of the vector having the perpendicular direction may be a fixed magnitude or may be a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 123. Then, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the step 19.

Thus, when a predetermined operation button (it is the operation button of the core unit 70 in the above example, but may be the operation button of the subunit 76) is operated, a character (the ball object B) starts to move, and its movement direction is determined based on a direction instructed by the direction instruction section of the subunit 76. Further, the movement direction is corrected in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 701 of the core unit 70 after the operation of the predetermined operation button (typically, the outputs of the acceleration sensor 701 for a predetermined time period immediately after the operation of the predetermined operation button are used). Thus, the player can efficiently, intuitively, and individually input the movement direction control and the movement direction correction control of the ball object B with hands, respectively. It is noted that the movement direction may be corrected in accordance with the output of the acceleration sensor 761 after the operation of the predetermined operation button. Also, the movement direction may be a predetermined direction in the coordinate system of the virtual game space (typically, a Y-axis direction), a predetermined direction in the camera coordinate system, a predetermined direction in the local coordinate system, a predetermined direction in a coordinate system which is obtained by projecting the camera coordinate system on the virtual horizontal plane, or a direction based on the movement direction which is determined by the direction instruction section (a direction perpendicular to the movement direction, or the like). Thus, the player can efficiently and intuitively input the movement direction control and the movement direction correction control of the ball object B.

Thus, in the second shot processing at the step 18, concerning a path of the ball after the player performs the shot operation by concurrently pressing the A and B buttons, a movement velocity, a movement direction, a movement distance, and the like of the ball are determined in accordance with the core acceleration data obtained from the core unit 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, a path a which is determined by a ball movement vector Vmb of the ball object B can be changed into a path b or a path c in accordance with the core acceleration data obtained from the core unit 70. In other words, while the movement of the player character PC is controlled by a direction input, a path after a shot is taken is determined not only by a simple button operation but also in accordance with the movement of the core unit 70 after the player performs the shot operation. Therefore, the player can intuitively change the shot path by moving the core unit 70 while controlling the movement direction of the player character PC, and thus a realistic soccer game can be realized.

With reference to FIG. 23, the following will describe in detail an operation of the temporary coach mode processing at the step 19.

As shown in FIG. 23, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core key data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da (a step 131). Next, based on the core key data which is referred to at the step 13, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the player presses the upward portion of the operation section 72 (the cross key) of the core unit 70 (a step 132). When the player presses the upward portion of the cross key, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 133. On the other hand, when the player does not press the upward portion of the cross key, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 136.

At the step 133, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit of the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Then, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (a step 134). When the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 135. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 136.

At the step 135, based on the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 133, the CPU 30 updates the movement vectors of all of the non-player characters NPC of the team X, updates the movement vector data Dc, and advances the processing to the next step 136. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the CPU 30 adds to the movement vectors of all of the non-player characters NPC of the team X a correction vector having a direction parallel to the touchline of the soccer field which is set in the virtual game space, thereby calculating new movement vectors Vmnpc. The correction vector may have a fixed magnitude or may have a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction. It is noted that the direction of the correction vector may be determined in accordance with the direction of the acceleration which is indicated by the core acceleration data. In this case, the following examples are considered.

In a first example of determining the direction of the correction vector, an output vector of the core acceleration data is converted into a direction vector in the virtual game space so that the axes of the core acceleration data correspond to the mutually-perpendicular three directions of the virtual game space coordinate, respectively (typically, so that the axes of the core acceleration data correspond to the axes of the virtual space coordinate, respectively).

In a second example of determining the direction of the correction vector, the output vector of the core acceleration data is converted into a direction vector in the virtual game space so that each axis of the core acceleration data corresponds to each axis of the local coordinate system of a predetermined character (the player character PC, or the like).

In a third example of determining the direction of the correction vector, the output vector of the core acceleration data is converted into a direction vector in the virtual space so that each axis of the core acceleration data corresponds to each axis of the camera coordinate system (or axes which are obtained by projecting X-axis and Z-axis of the camera coordinate system on the virtual horizontal plane).

In a fourth example of determining the direction of the correction vector, the output vector of the core acceleration data is converted into a direction vector in the virtual game space so that the axes of the core acceleration data correspond to the movement direction vector (or the facing direction vector) of a predetermined character, and two directions perpendicular to the movement direction vector, respectively.

It is noted that in the processing at the step 135, the output of the sub acceleration data may be used instead of the core acceleration data.

In the processing at the step 135, the movement vector of the player character PC of the team X may be processed by the same vector addition, and updated. Alternatively, any one of the non-player characters NPC of the team X (e.g. a goalkeeper of the team X) may be excluded from objects to be processed by the vector addition. Although the vector having the direction parallel to the touchline and the magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is added in the above-described processing, this vector may be set as the movement vectors of all of the non-player characters NPC of the team X. Further, the direction of the added vector may be set to be a horizontal direction perpendicular to a direction in which the view line direction vector of the virtual camera is projected on the virtual horizontal plane in the virtual game space, or another direction based on the view line direction of the virtual camera. Since the direction of an acceleration vector detected by the acceleration sensor 701 at the beginning of movement of the core unit 70 in a direction is generally opposite to the direction of the movement, the acceleration vector detected at that time may be reversed in direction and used. The direction of an acceleration vector detected by the acceleration sensor 701 when its movement is stopped after the core unit 70 is moved in a direction is the same as the direction of the movement, and thus this detected acceleration vector may be used. In this respect, the same is true of the similar processing which is described in other portions of the present specification.

As described above, the movement direction of the player character PC is controlled by means of the stick 78 a of the subunit 76, and the movement directions of a plurality of the non-player characters NPC (may include the player character PC) are controlled in accordance with the core acceleration data (or the sub acceleration data) obtained from the core unit 70. In other words, the player can control the movement directions of a plurality of characters by moving the core unit 70 (or the subunit 76) while controlling a specific character by means of the direction instruction means. Therefore, the player can intuitively control the movement directions of the plurality of characters while controlling the movement direction of the specific character by means of the direction instruction means.

At the step 136, based on the core key data which is referred to at the step 131, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the player presses the downward portion of the cross key of the core unit 70. When the player presses the downward portion of the cross key, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 137. On the other hand, when the player does not press the downward portion of the cross key, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 20.

At the step 137, the CPU 30 refers to the latest first coordinate data Da1 and the latest second coordinate data Da2, which are included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the player mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Then, the CPU 30 calculates pointed coordinates which correspond to the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2 which are referred to at the step 137, and a virtual space position which corresponds to the pointed coordinates, and updates the pointed coordinate data De and the virtual space position coordinate data Df which correspond to the core unit for the player mode of the team X (a step 138). The CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step. It is noted that a method of calculating the pointed coordinates and the virtual space position at the step 138 is the same as that the step 84, and thus the detailed description will be omitted.

Next, the CPU 30 refers to the instruction target player data Dg, and determines whether or not an instruction target player for the controller 7 for the player mode of the team X is set (a step 139). When the instruction target player has not been set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 141. On the other hand, when the instruction target player is set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 143.

At the step 141, the CPU 30 determines whether or not any of the player characters of the team X is located within a region A (see FIG. 27) having a center at the virtual space position which is calculated at the step 138. Next, when the player character of the team X is located within the region A, the CPU 30 sets the player character to be the instruction target player for the controller 7 for the player mode of the team X, and describes its character identification number and the like in the instruction target player data Dg (a step 142). It is noted that when there are a plurality of the player characters of the team X within the region A, the player character nearest to the virtual space position which is calculated at the step 138 is set to be the instruction target player. Then, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 20. On the other hand, when no player character of the team X is located within the region A, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 20.

At the step 143, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the calculated virtual space coordinate is within the soccer field which is set in the virtual game space. Next, when the virtual space coordinate is within the soccer field, the CPU 30 sets the movement vector of the instruction target player in accordance with the virtual space position, and updates the movement vector data Dc (a step 144). For example, the CPU 30 sets the direction of the movement vector of the instruction target player to be a direction which is directed from the current position of the instruction target player to the virtual space position TP (see FIG. 27). Further, the CPU 30 may set the magnitude of the movement vector of the instruction target player to be a magnitude in accordance with a virtual distance from the current position of the instruction target player to the virtual space position TP. Then, the CPU 30 clears the instruction target player for the controller for the player mode of the team X which is described in the instruction target player data Dg (a step 145), terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 20. On the other hand, when the virtual space coordinate is out of the soccer field, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and the advances the processing to the next step 20. It is noted that the instruction target player may not be cleared at the step 145. In this case, after the instruction target player is set, a movement instruction can be given with respect to the instruction target player a plurality of times (in this case, this clearing processing may be performed in accordance with a button operation, a coordinate instruction into a predetermined region, or the like).

With reference to FIG. 24, the following will describe in detail an operation of the coach mode processing at the step 20.

As shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 30 refers to the controller identification number data Db, and determines whether or not an controller identification number for the coach mode of the team X is set (a step 151). When the controller identification number for the coach mode of the team X is set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 152. On the other hand, when the controller identification number for the coach mode of the team X has not been set, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 21.

At the step 152, the CPU 30 refers to the latest core acceleration data, which is included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the coach mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Next, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (a step 153). When the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 154. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is smaller than the predetermined value, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 155.

At the step 154, based on the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction which is indicated by the core acceleration data which is referred to at the step 152, the CPU 30 updates the movement vectors of all of the non-player characters NPC of the team X, updates the movement vector data Dc, and advances the processing to the next step 155. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the CPU 30 adds to the movement vectors of all of the non-player characters NPC of the team X a correction vector having a direction parallel to the touchline of the soccer field which is set in the virtual game space, thereby calculating new movement vectors Vmnpc. The correction vector may have a fixed magnitude or may have a magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction. It is noted that the direction of the correction vector may be determined in accordance with the direction of the acceleration which is indicated by the core acceleration data. More specifically, the direction of the correction vector may be determined similarly as in the above first to fourth examples of determining the direction of the correction vector.

It is noted that in the processing at the step 154, similarly as in the processing at the step 135, the movement vector of the player character PC of the team X may be processed by the same vector addition, and updated. Alternatively, any one of the non-player characters NPC of the team X (e.g. the goalkeeper of the team X) may be excluded from objects to be processed by the vector addition. Although the vector having the direction parallel to the touchline and the magnitude in accordance with the magnitude of the acceleration in the X-axis direction is added in the above-described processing, this vector may be set as the movement vectors of all of the non-player characters NPC of the team X. Further, the direction of the added vector may be set to be a horizontal direction perpendicular to a direction in which the view line direction vector of the virtual camera is projected on the virtual horizontal plane in the virtual game space, or another direction based on the view line direction of the virtual camera.

At the step 155, the CPU 30 refers to the latest first coordinate data Da1 and the latest second coordinate data Da2, which are included in the operation information transmitted from the core unit for the coach mode of the team X, from the operation information Da. Next, the CPU 30 calculates pointed coordinates which correspond to the first coordinate data Da1 and the second coordinate data Da2 which are referred to at the step 155, and a virtual space position which corresponds to the pointed coordinates, and updates the pointed coordinate data De and the virtual space position coordinate data Df which correspond to the core unit for the coach mode of the team X (a step 156). The CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step. It is noted that a method of calculating the pointed coordinates and the virtual space position at the step 156 is the same as that at the step 84, and thus the detailed description will be omitted.

Next, the CPU 30 refers to the instruction target player data Dg, and determines whether or not an instruction target player for the controller 7 for the coach mode of the team X is set (a step 157). When the instruction target player has not been set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 158. On the other hand, when the instruction target player is set, the CPU 30 advances the processing to the next step 160.

At the step 158, the CPU 30 determines whether or not any player character of the team X is located within a region A (see FIG. 27) having a center at the virtual space position which is calculated at the step 156. When the player character of the team X is located within the region A, the CPU 30 sets the player character to be the instruction target player for the controller for the coach mode of the team X, and describes its character identification number and the like in the instruction target player data Dg (a step 159). It is noted that when there are a plurality of the player characters of the team X within the region A, the player character nearest to the virtual space position which is calculated at the step 138 is set to be the instruction target player. Then, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 21. On the other hand, when no player character of the team X is located within the region A, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 21.

At the step 160, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the calculated virtual space coordinates are within the soccer field which is set in the virtual game space. When the virtual space coordinates are within the soccer field, the CPU 30 sets the movement vector of the instruction target player in accordance with the virtual space position, and updates the movement vector data Dc (a step 161). For example, the CPU 30 sets the direction of the movement vector of the instruction target player to be a direction which is directed from the current position of the instruction target player to the virtual space position TP (see FIG. 27). Further, the CPU 30 may set the magnitude of the movement vector of the instruction target player to be a magnitude in accordance with a virtual distance from the current position of the instruction target player to the virtual space position TP. Then, the CPU 30 clears the instruction target player for the controller for the coach mode of the team X which is described in the instruction target player data Dg (a step 162), terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 21. On the other hand, when the virtual space coordinates are out of the soccer field, the CPU 30 terminates the processing of this subroutine, and advances the processing to the next step 21. It is noted that the instruction target player may not be cleared at the step 145. In this case, after the instruction target player is set, a movement instruction can be given with respect to the instruction target player a plurality of times (in this case, this clearing processing may be performed in accordance with a button operation, a coordinate instruction into a predetermined region, or the like).

As described above, in the coach mode processing at the step 20, comprehensive operation for the whole team can be possible by setting the controller 7 operated by the player to the coach mode. More specifically, the movement directions of a plurality of the non-player characters NPC (may include the player character PC) of the team are controlled in accordance with the core acceleration data (or the sub acceleration data) obtained from the core unit 70. In other words, the player can control the movement directions of a plurality of characters by moving the core unit 70 (or the subunit 76). Therefore, the player can intuitively control the movement directions of the plurality of characters in the coach mode.

As being clear from the processing of the flow charts described above, in the temporary coach mode processing at the step 19, steps for operating the cross key are different from those in the coach mode processing at the step 20 but the other processing are similar to those in the coach mode. More specifically, even if the controller 7 operated by the player is set to the player mode, the same operations as those in the above coach mode are possible by operating the upward or downward portion of the cross key.

In the processing at the step 22, each movement vector data described in the movement vector data Dc is decreased by a predetermined amount. However, when the non-player character NPC is desired to move until it reaches a predetermined point, the movement vector of the non-player character NPC may not be decreased. For example, when the instruction target player is desired to move to the virtual space position TP at which the core unit 70 is pointed, the magnitude and the direction of the movement vector of the instruction target player may be maintained until the instruction target player reaches the virtual space position TP.

In the above description, data of the image of a target which is taken by the image pickup element 743 of the core unit 70 is analyzed for remotely designating coordinates with respect to the display screen of the monitor 2. In this manner, two markers are provided near the display screen as targets whose images are to be taken, a device which includes imaging means and a housing capable of changing the imaging direction thereof detects the two markers in a taken image, and the coordinate position designated by the device is obtained based on the positions of the markers in the taken image. However, the coordinate designation may be performed in other manners.

For example, a target whose image is to be taken and which is provided near the display screen may be a member which reflects light or a physical marker having a specific color or a specific shape as well as the above electric markers (the LED module). Alternatively, a target whose image is to be taken may be displayed on the display screen of the monitor 2. Still, alternatively, the image object may be a raster scan type monitor having scan lines which are read by the imaging means of the core unit 70. Still, alternatively, a magnetic field generating apparatus may be provided, and magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating apparatus may be used for remotely designating coordinates. In this case, the core unit 70 is provided with a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field.

In the above description, the infrared lights from the two markers 8L and 8R are targets whose images are to be taken by the imaging information calculation section 74 of the core unit 70, but other elements may be targets whose images are to be taken. For example, one marker or three or more markers may be provided near the monitor 2, and infrared lights from these markers may be targets whose images are to be taken by the imaging information calculation section 74. For example, if a single marker having a predetermined length is provided near the monitor 2, the present invention can be similarly achieved. Alternatively, the display screen itself of the monitor 2 or another light emitter (an interior light) may be a target whose image is to be taken by the imaging information calculation section 74. If a position of the core unit 70 with respect to the display screen is calculated based on an arrangement relation between a target whose image is to be taken and the display screen of the monitor 2, various light emitters can be used as targets whose images are to be taken by the imaging information calculation section 74.

A target whose image is to be taken, such as a marker, may be provided on the core unit 70, and an image-taking means may be provided on the monitor 2. In a still another example, a mechanism for emitting light from the front surface of the core unit 70 may be provided. In this case, an image-taking device for taking an image of the display screen of the monitor 2 is provided at a place different from those of the core unit 70 and the monitor 2. By analyzing a position at which light emitted from the core unit 70 toward the display screen of the monitor 2 is reflected, based on an image taken by the imaging device, it is similarly possible to form a pointing device which is capable of outputting data for remotely designating coordinates with respect to the display screen.

In the above description, the controller 7 and the game apparatus main body 5 are connected to each other by radio communication. However, the controller 7 and the game apparatus main body 5 may be connected to each other by a cable. In this case, the core unit 70 and the subunit 76 are connected to each other by the connection cable 79, and the core unit 70 and the game apparatus main body 5 are connected to each other by another cable.

The shape of the controller 7, and the shapes, numbers, and installed positions of the operation sections 72 and 78 provided therein as described above are merely an example, and the present invention can be achieved with other shapes, numbers and installed positions.

The game program of the present invention may be supplied to the game apparatus main body 5 via a wired or wireless communication line, in addition to from an external storage medium such as the optical disc 4, or the like. Alternatively, the game program may be in advance stored in a nonvolatile storage unit within the game apparatus main body 5. It is noted that an information storage medium for storing the game program may be a nonvolatile semiconductor memory in addition to an optical disc-shaped storage medium such as CD-ROM, DVD, and the like.

The game system and the storage medium storing the game program according to the present invention variedly control the movement of the player character by an intuitive and easy operation, make the player have a direct feeling of a game input, and are each useful as a game system for moving an object in the virtual game world, and a game program executed by a game apparatus main body.

While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is understood that numerous other modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing, the game controller including at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and the game apparatus including: movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.
 3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.
 4. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a left-right direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.
 5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.
 6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.
 7. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.
 8. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to perform an input, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.
 9. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the movement vector so as to the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.
 10. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in the reference direction by changing a reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing, the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the forward direction.
 11. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller, the game controller including: a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player; a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing, and the game apparatus including: movement direction control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world when rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing is indicated based on detection of the movement detection means; and movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 12. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the movement vector control means determines a direction of the movement vector with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section, and the game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting the direction of the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means and corrected by the correction means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.
 13. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller, the game controller including at least: a housing capable of being held with one hand of the player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and the game apparatus including: movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 14. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a predetermined axial direction of the housing.
 15. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a forward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward direction of the housing.
 16. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a leftward or rightward direction thereof in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.
 17. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.
 18. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.
 19. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the movement vector so as to move the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.
 20. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction, the movement vector control means determines the movement vector so as to move the object in the reference direction by changing a reference direction, in which the object moves in the virtual game world, in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the housing, and the correction means corrects the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the reference direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the forward direction of the housing.
 21. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller, the game controller including: a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player; a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing, and the game apparatus including: movement vector control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world based on detection of the acceleration detection means when the acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing; and movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 22. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the movement vector control means determines a direction of the movement vector with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by direction instruction section, and the game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting the direction of the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means and corrected by the correction means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.
 23. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing, the game controller including at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and the game apparatus including: movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.
 24. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller, the game controller including at least: a housing capable of being held with one hand of the player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and the game apparatus including: movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.
 25. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing, the game controller including at least a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and the game apparatus including: position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and controlling movement of the object.
 26. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines a displacement amount of the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis.
 27. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a left-right axis of the housing.
 28. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about a front-rear axis of the housing.
 29. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a predetermined axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined axis.
 30. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of a first axis of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the first axis, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction, in accordance with rotation of a second axis of the housing, which is different from the first axis, about an axis perpendicular to the second axis.
 31. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction.
 32. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined so as to rotate about a predetermined axis of the housing thereby to perform an input, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in a direction to rotate about the predetermined axis, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis.
 33. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and moves the position of the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the predetermined direction, and determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the second direction in accordance with rotation of the housing so as to be inclined in the perpendicular direction.
 34. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with inclination of the housing in the leftward or rightward direction.
 35. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player and a game apparatus connected to the game controller, the game controller including at least: a housing capable of being held with one hand of the player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and the game apparatus including: position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and moving the object.
 36. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a forward or backward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a forward or backward direction of the housing.
 37. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a first direction of the housing, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a second direction in the virtual game world, which is different from the first direction in the virtual game world, in accordance with acceleration generated in a second direction of the housing which is different from the first direction of the housing.
 38. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing.
 39. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a predetermined direction of the housing or a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction thereby to perform an input, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a first direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object when the stick is inclined in the predetermined direction, and moves the position of the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the stick is inclined in the perpendicular direction, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the first direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing, and determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in the second direction in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in the perpendicular direction of the housing.
 40. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction, the position determination means moves the position of the object in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction in the virtual game world to determine a new position of the object in accordance with a direction instructed by direction instruction section when the stick is inclined in the forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing, and the displacement determination means determines the displacement amount so as to displace the object in a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with acceleration generated in a leftward or rightward direction of the housing.
 41. The game system according to claim 25, wherein the position determination means determines a new position of the object with a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world as a reference in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section, and the game apparatus further includes object direction control means for setting a direction in the virtual game world, in which the position of the object is moved by the position determination means, as a new forward direction of the object, and changing a direction of the object in the virtual game world based on the new forward direction.
 42. The game system according to claim 6, wherein the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to each other, and the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.
 43. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the first axis and the second axis of the housing are perpendicular to each other, and the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in the virtual game world.
 44. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player.
 45. The game system according to claim 44, wherein the direction instruction section is provided in the housing in such a position that when the player holds the housing at the side circumference thereof with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand.
 46. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising: a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input; the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing, the game program causing the computer to function as: movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 47. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of a player; a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing, the game program causing the computer to function as: movement direction control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world when rotation of the housing in the forward direction of the housing is indicated based on detection of the movement detection means; and movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 48. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, the game program causing the computer to function as: movement vector control means for determining a movement vector of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector, which is determined by the movement vector control means, in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 49. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of a player; a direction instruction section provided in such a position that when the player holds the housing with one hand, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing an instruction input in a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction of the housing; and acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated at least in the forward direction of the housing, the game program causing the computer to function as: movement vector control means for determining a forward direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, as a direction of a movement vector of the object when the instruction input in the forward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, determining a backward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the backward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section, and determining a leftward or rightward direction of the object in the virtual game world as the direction of the movement vector when the instruction input in the leftward or rightward direction of the housing is performed by the direction instruction section; correction means for correcting the movement vector so as to increase a movement amount of the object in the forward direction in the virtual game world based on detection of the acceleration detection means when the acceleration is generated in the forward direction of the housing; and movement control means for moving the object in the virtual game world based on the movement vector which is corrected by the correction means.
 50. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising: a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input; the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing, the game program causing the computer to function as: movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.
 51. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, the game program causing the computer to function as: movement direction determination means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; movement amount determination means for determining a movement amount of the object in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and movement control means for controlling movement of the object in the virtual game world based on the movement direction which is determined by the movement direction determination means and the movement amount which is determined by the movement amount determination means.
 52. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus in a game system comprising: a game controller which includes a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input; the game apparatus connected to the game controller; and a detection section for detecting an orientation of the housing, the game program causing the computer to function as: position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with a change in the orientation of the housing from a reference orientation based on detection of the detection section; and movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and controlling movement of the object.
 53. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes: a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration generated in the housing; and a direction instruction section provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, the game program causing the computer to function as: position determination means for determining a position of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; displacement determination means for determining a displacement amount of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with the acceleration generated in the housing based on detection of the acceleration detection means; and movement control means for changing the position of the object, which is determined by the position determination means, by the displacement amount which is determined by the displacement determination means, and moving the object. 